By Ghazali Ibrahim
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has removed Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun from his position, directing him to step aside and paving the way for a new leadership at the Nigeria Police Force, BlackBox Nigeria can confirmed.
According to reports from multiple news outlets and informed security sources, the President has already chosen Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu as Egbetokun’s replacement. Disu, who previously served as head of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Lagos, is expected to take over immediately as the new IGP.
The decision is understood to have been communicated to Egbetokun during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja, where he was asked to prepare his handover notes.
Though the Presidency has not yet issued an official public statement, sources familiar with the development say the change is already in motion.
As an alumna of Lagos State University (LASU), he graduated in 1990 where he majored in English Education before joining the force.
Egbetokun’s tenure as IGP had been subject to intense public debate. Critics repeatedly questioned the extension of his stay beyond the statutory retirement age and raised concerns about transparency and police accountability, while supporters defended his leadership amid ongoing reform efforts.
The leadership change comes at a time when Nigeria continues to face serious security challenges across various parts of the country, including insurgency, banditry and high rates of violent crime.
Observers say the shake-up reflects Mr Tinubu’s constitutional authority to direct the nation’s security architecture and could signal a new approach to policing strategy ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Political analysts and civil society groups are likely to watch closely how Disu will reposition the police force, especially on issues of police reform, community trust and operational effectiveness.
Details on an official announcement from the Presidency or the Nigeria Police Force are expected in the coming hours.
