Police keep mum over alleged removal of IGP Egbetokun
Sowore Alleges Dismissal of Inspector-General of Police
Omoyele Sowore, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, claimed on Tuesday that Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from his position. Sowore stated that Egbetokun has been succeeded by a senior officer currently serving in the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos.
However, Sowore did not provide any official confirmation to substantiate his claims. As of the time of this report, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued a statement verifying the alleged dismissal.
Efforts to reach Benjamin Hundeyin, the Force Public Relations Officer, for comment were unsuccessful. Hundeyin did not respond to phone calls but requested that a text message be sent to him, indicating he would reply. As of the press deadline, he had not provided a response.
Sowore has previously raised concerns regarding Egbetokun’s tenure, asserting that the police chief should have retired upon reaching the mandatory age of 60.
Egbetokun was appointed as acting Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly. His appointment took effect on October 31, 2023.
Following discussions surrounding the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government introduced an amendment to the Police Act establishing a single four-year term for an Inspector-General, irrespective of age or length of service. This amendment permits Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.
