President Bola Tinubu has fired controversial Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector General of Police (IGP) over one year before the completion of his 4-year term as IGP.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023 and he was to serve for four years, but on Tuesday, Egbetokun was said to have resigned.

The Amended Police Act (2024) in  subsection, 18(8A), said that the IGP can remain in office for the term stated in his appointment letter (usually four years) even if age 60 (retirement age) or service limits are reached.

On paper, Egbetokun should have served up June 2027.

Tunji Disu, an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) would mount the saddle as the new IGP, an announcement that would be made any moment from now. No fewer than 29 senior officers are set to be fired after Disu, an AIG takes charge.

Disu appears loved by many who framed him as a ‘Lagos Boy’ versed in discreet policing and tact.

Though the exit of Egbetokun was made to be a resignation, however, competent Presidency sources told Political Economist NG that he was actually sacked by the President following troves of reports that suggested his lack of capacity to make a change in the police and contain the growing internal insecurity in the country.

With 2027 elections coming upon the Nigeria, Tinubu was said not to be comfortable in the ability of Egbetokun to guaranty internal security before, during and after the elections.

Egbetokun who promised to “chase away” criminals in Nigeria has had criminals run riot under his watch. Besides, he allowed road blocks of bribery to fester, despite his earlier pledge to curtailing unethical and criminal conducts among police personnel.

“I will tell you that right now, I feel like a Tiger inside of me, ready to chase away all the criminals in Nigeria. And some other time, I feel like a lion in me, ready to devour all the internal enemies of Nigeria,” he said.