President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, and approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Tunji Disu, as acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued on Tuesday in Abuja by the presidential spokesperson, Mr. Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter to the President, citing pressing family considerations.

Tinubu expressed appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation. He commended his dedication, professionalism, and commitment to strengthening internal security during his tenure.

Appointed on June 19, 2023, as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027 under the amended Police Act. The Nigeria Police Council confirmed his substantive appointment on October 31, 2023.

However, the latter part of his tenure was marked by controversy, particularly over his extended stay in office. Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire in September 2024 upon attaining the age of 60.

His continued stay beyond the mandatory retirement limits of 60 years of age or 35 years of service drew sustained criticism from civil society groups and other stakeholders, who argued that it breached established police service regulations and weakened institutional discipline.

At the time, the police authorities maintained that the development did not amount to a tenure extension but rather confirmed that he would complete the four-year term stipulated in his original letter of appointment.

In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill to allow a person appointed as Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term specified in the letter of appointment. President Tinubu had forwarded the bill to both the House of Representatives and the Senate for consideration, and it was passed at separate sittings in both chambers.

In view of prevailing security challenges confronting the nation, Tinubu approved Disu’s appointment as acting Inspector-General, expressing confidence that his experience and operational depth would provide steady leadership for the Force at a critical time.

“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect,” Onanuga stated.

“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,” he added.

Until his elevation, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.

Previously, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was later deployed by Egbetokun to Abuja as Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory.

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. Over the course of his career, he has held several operational and command positions, including Divisional Police Officer in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State; Ikare and Owo, Ondo State; and Elimbu and Elelenwo, Rivers State.

He also served as Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and anti-kidnapping operations in Rivers State. He commanded the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers states, and later served as second-in-command of the State Criminal Investigations Department in Rivers State.

In 2005, he led the first Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan as contingent commander on a peacekeeping assignment. While stationed in Darfur, he was appointed acting Chief of Staff before returning to Nigeria in 2006.

Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force.

He also served as Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad from June 13, 2015, to August 2021. During his tenure, he branded his officers as “The Good Guys”, an initiative aimed at reforming policing practices by encouraging officers to enforce the law professionally while maintaining respectful engagement with citizens.

Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security and enhancing the institutional capacity of the Nigeria Police Force.