Uncertainty Surrounds Police Leadership After Sowore Claims IGP Removal

Former presidential candidate of the African Action Congress in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been removed from office.

Sowore made the allegation on Tuesday, stating that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department in Lagos. He did not, however, present any official document or confirmation to support the claim.

As of the time of filing this report, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued any statement confirming a change in leadership.

Attempts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. Calls placed to his mobile phone were not answered. He later requested that an enquiry be sent to him via text message and assured that he would respond. No reply had been received at the time of publication.

Sowore has on several occasions questioned Egbetokun’s continued stay in office, arguing that the police chief should have stepped down upon reaching the statutory retirement age of 60.

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

Following public debate over the tenure of the police chief, the Federal Government backed an amendment to the Police Act establishing a single four year term for an Inspector General of Police, regardless of age or years of service. Under the amended provision, Egbetokun is eligible to remain in office until October 2027.

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