The Presidency has confirmed that Kayode Egbetokun has stepped down as the Inspector-General of Police.
According to the Presidency, the former police chief tendered his resignation, explaining that family matters requiring his full attention informed his decision.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, made this known while responding to an inquiry, stating, “The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.”
Despite the official explanation, several sources within the Presidency said Egbetokun was directed to resign during a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday evening.
“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a senior Presidency official disclosed anonymously because of the sensitive nature of the development.
According to media reports, the IGP’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing the number plate NPF-01, was seen arriving at the Presidential Villa forecourt at about 6:40 pm on Monday.
Egbetokun, dressed in his black police uniform without his cap, reportedly stepped out of the vehicle and turned back to request his notepad from an aide, who quickly retrieved it from the car and handed it to him.
His arrival coincided with that of several governors attending an interfaith Iftar with the President, initially creating uncertainty about the purpose of his visit.
However, another source at the Villa clarified that Egbetokun had been specifically invited by the President that evening.
“He was called in. It wasn’t a routine visit,” the source stated.
Security officials, according to media reports, indicated that the IGP returned to the State House around 8:00 pm, and his vehicle underwent a routine search by DSS personnel stationed at the Villa.
Appointed as IGP on June 19, 2023, Egbetokun has faced increasing criticism over the country’s worsening security challenges, including rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and terrorist activities across several states.
Among recent major incidents were the abduction of nearly 300 pupils from St. Mary’s boarding school in Niger State in November 2025, mass killings in communities in Kwara State in February 2026, and repeated kidnappings along key highways.
During Monday’s Iftar with governors, the President reiterated his commitment to the creation of state police as a strategy to address insecurity, stressing that “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,” Tinubu had stated at the event.
Before his elevation as IGP, Egbetokun served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police overseeing the Force Criminal Investigations Department.
He took over from Usman Alkali Baba, whose tenure ended in September 2023 following an extension granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.
The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention.
