There are strong indications that President Bola Tinubu has approved the replacement of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun with Assistant Inspector-General Olatunji Disu as the new head of the Nigeria Police Force.

Sources within the police hierarchy disclosed that Egbetokun stepped down following a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, on Monday. A senior officer revealed that the outgoing IGP was asked to tender his resignation during the meeting.

Preparations are reportedly underway for a formal handover ceremony, with Disu expected to be sworn in as the next Inspector-General of Police, pending confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.

Egbetokun was appointed as the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, and was later confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31 of the same year. Though he was due for retirement upon attaining the age of 60 on September 4, 2024, his tenure was extended in line with the amended Police Act, which provides for a four-year term unless the president decides otherwise.

Disu, born on April 13, 1966, previously served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory and in Rivers State. Before his latest elevation, he was the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID), Alagbon, Lagos. He is also a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

An alumnus of Lagos State University, Disu holds a degree in English Education as well as two master’s degrees — one from Adekunle Ajasin University and another from Lagos State University in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology.

An official statement from the Presidency is expected to provide further clarification on the development.