Egbetokun resigns citing family matters, sources reveal he was asked to step down during a private meeting with President Tinubu amid rising nationwide insecurity.

The Presidency has officially confirmed the resignation of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, who cited family matters requiring his full attention.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said:

“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.”

However, multiple sources within the Presidency disclosed that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a private meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday evening. “It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” one senior official told journalists on condition of anonymity.

Eyewitnesses reported seeing Egbetokun arrive at the Villa around 6:40 pm in his official Toyota Land Cruiser (registration NPF-01), dressed in his black uniform without a cap. He retrieved a notepad from an aide as governors arrived for an interfaith iftar hosted by the President, fueling speculation about the nature of his visit. A source confirmed it was a specific summons, not a routine call. He reportedly left around 8:00 pm after a routine vehicle search by Department of State Services (DSS) operatives.

Appointed as the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, Egbetokun succeeded Usman Alkali Baba and faced mounting criticism over escalating insecurity across the country. His tenure saw high-profile incidents including the November 2025 abduction of nearly 300 schoolchildren in Niger State, mass killings in Kwara State in February 2026, and persistent highway kidnappings by bandits and terrorists.

During Monday’s iftar, President Tinubu reiterated his commitment to tackling insecurity, emphasizing the role of state police:

“Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace. We will establish state police to curb insecurity.”

Egbetokun, who turned 60 in 2024 and was due for mandatory retirement on September 4, 2024, previously served as Deputy Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.

Reports indicate that Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu, currently heading the Force CID Annex in Lagos, will succeed him. A formal announcement and handover ceremony are expected soon.