President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of former Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun and appointed Olatunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), a move that may trigger the retirement of about eight Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) and several senior officers.

Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announced that Egbetokun resigned citing “pressing family considerations.” The former IGP, appointed in June 2023 for a four-year term expected to end in 2027 under the amended Police Act, had earlier faced controversy over tenure extension beyond the statutory retirement age of 60.

Likely Retirements in Top Police Hierarchy

Following Disu’s appointment, security sources say about eight DIGs and some senior Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) may retire in line with police hierarchy traditions, which typically see senior officers step aside when a new IGP assumes office.

Among those potentially affected are:

1. DIG Frank Mba (Training & Development)
2. DIG Sadiq Idris Abubakar (FCID)
3. DIG Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi (Operations)
4. DIG Adebola Ayinde Hamzat (Logistics)
5. DIG Idegwu Basil Okuoma (Research)
6. DIG Mohammed Adamu Dankwara (Finance)
7. DIG Funsho Adegboye
8. DIG Fayoade Adegoke

Retired senior officers note that such retirements are often left to the discretion of the new IGP to ensure smooth operations.

Profile of Acting IGP Olatunji Disu

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu was appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police in March 2025. He joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.

Over the years, he has served in several strategic roles, including:

1. Commissioner of Police, Rivers State
2. Commissioner of Police, FCT Command
3. Commander, Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT)
4. Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos

Disu holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and two Master’s degrees - one in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, and another in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University. He has also undergone extensive professional training locally and internationally.

His appointment is in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council and the Senate.

CSO Raises Concerns Over Short Tenure

A civil society group, Visionary Leaders Consensus (VLC), expressed reservations about Disu’s appointment, noting that he is due for retirement in April 2026 upon attaining 60 years of age. The group warned that if no tenure extension is granted under the amended Police Act, his leadership could last barely two months.

According to the CSO, the appointment could trigger the exit of up to 29 senior officers, including 16 AIGs and nine DIGs, potentially creating instability within the Force.

Regional Reactions

The Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) said the appointment aligns with what it described as President Tinubu’s pattern of appointing trusted associates to key positions.

Meanwhile, the Middle Belt Forum criticised the tenure of former IGP Egbetokun as uninspiring and expressed skepticism that the new appointment would significantly reform the Force.

As Nigeria continues to grapple with security challenges nationwide, the leadership transition at the Nigeria Police Force is expected to shape operational direction, command structure stability, and public confidence in the institution in the coming months.