According to a report by The Punch on Saturday, February 28, 2026, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu removed former Inspector-General of Police Olukayode Egbetokun following disagreements over key security reforms, including the withdrawal of officers from VIP protection and the push for state policing.
Although Egbetokun cited “family issues” in his resignation letter, Presidency sources said he was summoned to the Presidential Villa and asked to step down.
His tenure, extended under a 2024 amendment to the Police Act, was expected to run until October 2027.
The immediate trigger was his handling of Tinubu’s November 23, 2025 directive ordering the withdrawal of over 11,000 police officers from VIPs for redeployment to communities battling insecurity.
Sources said Egbetokun resisted the directive, arguing that business leaders required police protection.
Tinubu reportedly insisted that the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps could take over those duties.
Insiders also revealed that the VIP protection scheme generated significant revenue for the police, allegedly influencing resistance to the policy.
Another major disagreement centered on state police. Tinubu has strongly backed constitutional amendments to establish state policing, but Egbetokun reportedly presented a memorandum opposing the proposal at a National Assembly hearing.
His public stance was viewed as contradicting the administration’s security agenda.
Sources further cited internal tensions within the police hierarchy, particularly his strained relationship with Olatunji Disu, who now serves as Acting IGP.
The Nigeria Police Council is expected to meet next week to consider Disu’s confirmation before his name is forwarded to the Senate in line with the Police Act 2020.See_More…