The Presidency on Monday confirmed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police, stating that the former police boss stepped down to attend to pressing family matters.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, disclosed this while responding to an enquiry, noting that the ex-IGP tendered his resignation in a letter.
“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” he said.
However, multiple sources within the Presidency indicated that Egbetokun’s exit followed a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday evening.
A senior official, who spoke on condition of anonymity because of the sensitivity of the matter, said the police chief was asked to step aside during the meeting.
“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” the source stated.
PUNCH observed Egbetokun’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing the number plate NPF-01, arrive at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa at about 6:40 pm.
Dressed in a black uniform without his cap, the IGP briefly turned back to collect a notepad from an aide before proceeding inside.
His arrival coincided with that of several governors who were at the State House for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President, initially creating uncertainty over the purpose of his visit.
Another Villa source, however, clarified that the meeting was not routine.
“He was specifically summoned. It wasn’t a regular visit,” the source said.
Security operatives familiar with the development disclosed that Egbetokun later returned to the Villa around 8:00 pm, with his vehicle reportedly searched by operatives of the Department of State Services.
Egbetokun, appointed IGP on June 19, 2023, had come under intense public scrutiny over worsening insecurity, including rising incidents of kidnappings, bandit attacks and terrorist activities in parts of the country.
Among recent high-profile cases were the abduction of hundreds of schoolchildren in Niger State in November 2025, reported killings in communities in Kwara State in February 2026, and persistent attacks along major highways.
During Monday’s Iftar with governors, Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to establishing state police as part of efforts to address insecurity.
“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,” the President said.
Before his appointment as IGP, Egbetokun served as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigations Department.
He succeeded Usman Alkali Baba, whose tenure ended in September 2023 following an extension granted by former President Muhammadu Buhari.