The Presidency has stated that former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, voluntarily resigned from his position to focus on urgent family matters requiring his personal attention.
The clarification was given by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, who confirmed that the former police chief conveyed his decision through a formal resignation letter submitted on Monday.
However, sources within the Presidency disclosed that the development followed a private meeting between Egbetokun and President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, where he was reportedly advised to relinquish the position.
A senior official familiar with the matter said the meeting was specifically arranged by the President and was not part of the ex-IGP’s scheduled activities at the State House.
Witnesses observed Egbetokun arriving at the Villa around 6:40 p.m. in his official convoy, at about the same time governors were gathering for an interfaith breaking of fast hosted by the President, which initially led to speculation about the purpose of his presence.
Security insiders also revealed that he returned later in the evening, with standard security checks carried out on his vehicle before he was granted access into the premises.
Egbetokun, appointed Inspector-General of Police in June 2023, had come under increasing scrutiny amid rising insecurity, including cases of kidnappings, violent attacks and killings reported in different parts of the country.
At the Iftar gathering held that evening, Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to confront insecurity, stressing that plans to establish state police would proceed as part of broader efforts to strengthen national security.
