The Nigerian Police Force on Thursday formally pulled former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, out of service, marking the official end of his career in the force.
The ceremony, held in Abuja, was attended by senior police officers and family members, including his wife, Mrs Elizabeth Egbetokun.
Speaking at the event, Egbetokun described his tenure as Inspector-General of Police as one of the greatest honours of his life.
According to him, the police recorded several operational improvements during his leadership.
He said the force expanded its operational capabilities and strengthened its investigative capacity.
The former police chief also revealed that the cybercrime section of the Nigeria Police Force was upgraded during his tenure.
Egbetokun was appointed Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu in 2023.
Following his appointment, he pledged to tackle criminal activities across the country.
“I will tell you that right now, I feel like a Tiger inside of me, ready to chase away all the criminals in Nigeria. And some other time, I feel like a lion in me, ready to devour all the internal enemies of Nigeria,” he said at the time.
He succeeded Usman Baba, who had been appointed as IGP by former President Muhammadu Buhari in 2021.
The latter part of Egbetokun’s tenure was marked by controversy over his continued stay in office beyond the statutory retirement age.
Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire in September 2024 upon attaining the age of 60.
However, his tenure was extended beyond the mandatory retirement limits of 60 years of age or 35 years of service, attracting criticism from civil society organisations and other stakeholders.
Critics argued that the extension violated established police service regulations and undermined institutional discipline.
The police authorities, however, maintained that the development was not an extension but a confirmation that the former IGP would complete the four-year tenure stated in his letter of appointment.
In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill, which allowed an Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the expiration of the tenure specified in the letter of appointment.
Egbetokun eventually resigned from office in February 2026, citing what he described as “pressing family considerations.”
Following his resignation, President Tinubu approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police.
Disu was later sworn in as the substantive Inspector-General of Police on March 4 at the Council Chamber of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, shortly before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council meeting.
Born in September 1964, Egbetokun hails from Egbado South Local Government Area of Ogun State.
He joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (Course 16) on March 3, 1990, rising through the ranks to become the nation’s top police officer.
