President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and appointed Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu as acting head of the Nigeria Police Force.
The announcement was made on Monday in a statement by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, Egbetokun submitted a resignation letter citing “pressing family considerations.”
Egbetokun, who was appointed in June 2023, had been serving a four-year term scheduled to end in June 2027 under the amended provisions of the Police Act. His departure comes amid ongoing security challenges across Nigeria, including insurgency in the Northeast, banditry in the Northwest, and rising violent crime in parts of the country.
The presidency said Tinubu “expressed his profound appreciation for Egbetokun’s decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation” and acknowledged “his dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening internal security architecture during his tenure.”
In appointing Disu in an acting capacity, the president cited prevailing security concerns and compliance with existing laws. “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,” the statement said.
Disu, a senior officer in the force, will lead the police pending formal processes required for a substantive appointment. Under the Police Act 2020, the president is required to consult the Nigeria Police Council before forwarding a nominee to the Senate for confirmation.
The statement noted that 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.”
While the presidency did not outline specific policy shifts, it said the administration remains committed to reforming the force. The president “reiterates his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities,” the statement added.
Leadership changes at the top of the police force are closely watched in Nigeria, where security remains a central political and governance issue. Disu’s appointment places him at the helm of efforts to address persistent security threats while navigating ongoing institutional reforms within the force.
