Exclusive: 29 DIGs, AIGs May Be Sacked After Kayode Egbetokun’s Removal

At least 29 senior police officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, are set to be removed from office following the sack of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.

Sources within the Nigeria Police Force and the Police Service Commission disclosed to Sahara Reporters on Tuesday that the planned shake-up is part of a wider restructuring of the police leadership.

“29 senior police officers are to be fired, so senior DIGs and AIGs are set to go,” a source said.

Egbetokun was removed from office on the directive of President Bola Tinubu, according to multiple sources.

One of the sources said, “Egbetokun was at the (Presidential) Villa yesterday and was told to go and prepare his handover notes. I believe he has done that already and he will be handing over to Tunji Disu.”

He is expected to be succeeded by Tunji Disu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.

As of the time of filing this report, an official announcement of Egbetokun’s removal was still being awaited.

Another source alleged that Egbetokun’s tenure had been dogged by controversies.

“He is incompetent and the scandals are just too many. He is power-drunk. The President said he should leave to focus on getting treatment for himself. You know, he has kidney-related medical issues,” the source claimed.

There were also reports that some police officers celebrated the news of his removal.

“Police officers jubilated on Monday when they heard the news. The First Lady, Remi Tinubu, wanted him to stay, but the President was adamant. She fought that he should remain in office despite all the scandals,” another source said.

Egbetokun’s time as IGP was marked by controversy, particularly over his prolonged stay in office beyond the mandatory retirement age of 60 or 35 years of service.

The National Assembly had amended the Police Act to allow an appointed IGP to serve a fixed four-year term, a move that attracted criticism from civil society groups and opposition voices.

Critics argued that his continued stay undermined institutional discipline and fuelled perceptions of favouritism within the force.

The planned removal of senior DIGs and AIGs is believed to be aimed at realigning the police hierarchy under the incoming leadership.