Nigeria’s policing architecture witnessed a major leadership shift on Tuesday as Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, resigned from office, paving the way for the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as acting Inspector-General ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Egbetokun, who was appointed on June 19, 2023, stepped down citing pressing family matters requiring his “undivided attention,” according to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
The IG resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” Onanuga confirmed.
However, multiple Presidency sources disclosed that the decision followed a closed-door meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening, where he was reportedly asked to step aside.
Tinubu Accepts Resignation, Appoints Disu
In a State House statement, the President accepted Egbetokun’s resignation and appointed Disu as acting IGP with immediate effect, citing the prevailing security challenges across the country.
The statement noted that the appointment was made in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, particularly provisions of the Police Act 2020.
In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation,” the statement read.
The President expressed confidence in Disu’s “experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity” to steer the Nigeria Police Force during what he described as a critical period.
Egbetokun’s tenure had sparked controversy in 2024 after he reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4. His stay in office was extended following amendments to the Police Act, a move that drew mixed reactions within security and political circles.
His resignation now clears the path for a new leadership structure within the Force.
Before his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, assuming office in February 2026.
He previously headed the Special Protection Unit at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and served as Commissioner of Police in both the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State commands.
Between 2015 and 2021, he was Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, earning a reputation for operational efficiency.
Disu’s elevation is expected to trigger a wave of retirements among senior officers, particularly Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) and AIGs who are senior to him.
Police tradition, similar to military culture, often requires senior officers to step down when a junior is appointed as head of the institution. Sources within the Police Service Commission indicated that between 15 and 20 senior officers could resign in the coming days.
Some insiders, however, noted that while the practice is entrenched, it is not mandatory, and the decision ultimately rests with affected officers and the new IGP.
Should the resignations occur, the development would create vacancies across strategic departments including Operations, Finance and Administration, Logistics, Intelligence, and Training — potentially triggering a broader reshuffle and promotions within the Force.
Several retired senior officers welcomed the leadership change, describing it as consistent with Force tradition and necessary for institutional discipline.
They argued that it would be administratively awkward for DIGs senior to the acting IGP to remain in office, though the discretion ultimately lies with the President and the Police Service Commission.
The former officers also stressed the enormity of the security challenges confronting Nigeria, ranging from insurgency and banditry to kidnapping and communal unrest, urging the new police chief to prioritise structural reforms.
Some reiterated calls for decentralisation of policing, advocating a model that allows for greater state-level operational control while maintaining federal oversight.
The leadership transition comes at a politically sensitive time as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 general elections. Analysts say the appointment signals the administration’s intention to recalibrate the security architecture ahead of the polls.
With Tinubu reaffirming his commitment to strengthening national security and institutional capacity, attention now shifts to how Disu will shape his management team — and whether the anticipated wave of resignations will redefine the upper ranks of the Nigeria Police Force.
As one retired officer put it, “It is a new chapter. The expectation is stability, discipline and decisive leadership in a very challenging time.”
