Police Keep Mum as Rumours Swirl Over Egbetokun’s Removal

Police Keep Mum as Rumours Swirl Over Egbetokun’s Removal

The Nigeria Police Force has remained silent amid claims that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been removed from office.

The allegation was made on Tuesday by the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore.

Sowore claimed that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos. However, he did not provide any official confirmation or documentary evidence to support the claim.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no statement from the Presidency or the Nigeria Police Force confirming or denying the alleged development.

Efforts to obtain clarification from the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. Calls placed to his phone were not answered.

Hundeyin later sent a message requesting that a text be forwarded to him, assuring that he would respond. However, as at press time, no response had been received.

Sowore has consistently questioned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, arguing that the police chief should have retired upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting Inspector-General of Police in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly. The appointment took effect on October 31, 2023.

Following controversy surrounding the tenure of the police chief, the Federal Government sponsored an amendment to the Police Act to provide for a single four-year term for an Inspector-General of Police, regardless of age or years of service.

The amendment allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027