BREAKING: Major Shake-Up Looms In Nigeria Police As 29 Senior Officers Are Set To Be Fired After IGP Egbetokun’s Sacking

At least 29 senior police officers are set to be fired including senior Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) and Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) following the sacking of the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun.

SaharaReporters exclusively reported on Tuesday that Egbetokun had been removed from his position as Inspector General of Police.

SaharaReporters confirmed that President Bola Tinubu ordered Egbetokun’s removal from office.

Senior police officials and sources within the Police Service Commission confirmed the development to SaharaReporters on Tuesday.

According to sources, Egbetokun’s sacking will be officially announced anytime soon.

He is to be succeeded by Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.

“29 senior police officers are to be fired, so senior DIGs and AiGs are set to go,” a source told SaharaReporters.

Regarding Egbetokun’s removal, a source earlier told SaharaReporters, “Egbetokun was at the (Presidential) Villa yesterday and was told to go and prepare his handover notes. I believe he has done that already and he will be handing over to Tunji Disu.

“He is incompetent and the scandals are just too many. He is power-drunk. The President said he should leave to focus on getting treatment for himself. You know, he has kidney-related medical issues.”

SaharaReporters learnt that some police officers celebrated upon hearing the news of his removal on Monday.

“Police officers jubilated on Monday when they heard the news. The First Lady Remi Tinubu wanted him to stay but the President was adamant. She fought that he should remain in office despite all the scandals,” one of the sources said.

Egbetokun’s time as IGP was marked by a storm of controversies. His prolonged stay in office, despite clear retirement rules, became the centerpiece of the scandal.

Egbetokun’s tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service.

Civil society groups and critics argued that his continued stay violated police service rules, sparking heated debates about favouritism and disregard for institutional discipline

SaharaReporters exclusively reported how Bukola Yemisi Kuti, a Principal Staff Officer to Egbetokun, received rapid promotions under questionable circumstances.

Critics alleged that her closeness to the IGP gave her undue advantage, fueling perceptions of favoritism and nepotism within the police force.

Sources told SaharaReporters that Kuti was not just a staff officer but also personally linked to Egbetokun as his mistress, which made her promotions scandalous.

SaharaReporters also reported exclusively that ₦100 million from Anambra State’s security vote was traced to the account of Victor, the son of Kayode Egbetokun.

This sparked significant controversy, as it raised concerns about the possible diversion of state security funds and the alleged personal benefit to the Inspector-General’s family.

Rather than allowing an independent investigation into the matter, police authorities deployed institutional resources to pursue legal action against Sowore and SaharaReporters reporting on the allegations, further fueling suspicions of corruption and abuse of office.

During this period, Egbetokun’s office was repeatedly in the headlines for initiating lawsuits against journalists and activists.

He filed multiple charges against activist Sowore and SaharaReporters after the activist publicly referred to him as an “illegal IGP.”

This confrontation escalated into a legal battle, with the Federal High Court issuing injunctions restricting further publications concerning him and members of his family. Critics interpreted these legal actions as attempts to silence dissent and undermine press freedom.

Following additional reports by Sowore and SaharaReporters regarding alleged promotions and financial improprieties, Egbetokun’s camp responded with further litigation.

Court orders were issued restraining both Sowore and SaharaReporters from publishing additional reports concerning Egbetokun, his son Victor, and Bukola Kuti.

Observers argued that, instead of addressing the allegations through open and transparent investigations, the police leadership appeared to be focused on pursuing legal measures against critics.

This, in turn, reinforced perceptions of an embattled Inspector-General relying on state authority to defend his personal and professional interests. (SaharaReporters)