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March 5, 2025
Infractions such as age falsification, violation of service rules led to the forced retirement of several senior officers.
Concerns are mounting within the Nigeria Police Force over the continued stay of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun in office, despite also being in office beyond the retirement age of 60.
Infractions such as age falsification, violation of service rules led to the forced retirement of several senior officers.
Egbetokun, who officially retired all his coursemates by March 3, 2025, has been filling their positions with new senior officers believed to be loyal to him.
However, police insiders are questioning why the IGP himself remains in office while enforcing strict retirement policies on others.
SaharaReporters learnt that the IGP has confided in several top sources within the presidency that he nearly lost his position if not for the intervention of First Lady Remi Tinubu, to whom he is said to be extremely close.
According to sources within the presidency, Egbetokun confirmed that he narrowly escaped being removed from office due to the backing of President Bola Tinubu’s wife, to whom he is said to be extremely close.
“The IGP almost lost his job, but the First Lady intervened,” a senior government source revealed. “Now, he is more confident than ever and is making strategic moves to secure his position.”
The latest casualty of Egbetokun’s power consolidation is Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Idowu Owohunwa, whom the IGP reportedly sees as an "archenemy" and a threat to his continued stay in office.
Idowu Owohunwa in the AIG in charge of Zone 12 Bauchi.
Sources disclosed that Owohunwa’s retirement letter is already prepared and set to be issued next week after he failed to secure promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector General (DIG).
The Police Service Commission (PSC) declined to elevate Owohunwa, paving the way for his removal.
SaharaReporters reported on Tuesday that the PSC had approved the appointment of six Deputy Inspectors General of Police to replace those recently forced into retirement by police authorities.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported on Monday that the retired DIGs were Dasuki Galandachi, Ali Ari Muhammed, Rhoda Adetutu Olofu, Jonathan Towuru (representing the South-South geopolitical zone), Suleiman Yusuf, Banji Lawal Badru, and Bala Ciroma.
SaharaReporters exclusively reported on Monday night that the replacements for the retired DIGs would be announced today (Tuesday).
Previously, SaharaReporters also reported that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Egbetokun had ordered senior police officers who refused to retire to appear before a disciplinary committee.
PSC Head of Press and Public Relations, Ikechukwu Ani, on Tuesday, announced the appointment of six new Deputy Inspectors General of Police: Sadiq Idiris Abubakar, Benjamin Nebolisa Okolo, Williams Adebowale, Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi Bali, Idegwu Basil Ukuoma, and Adebola Ayinde Hamzat.
“The IGP is now overjoyed and will eliminate his last ‘enemy’ AIG Idowu AIG Idowu Owohunwa next week as his retirement letter is now ready after he initially succeeded in warding off retirement from the police, even after it was revealed that he forged his age and service records,” a top source said.
“The IGP has made it clear that even if he eventually leaves, he will ensure that none of his fiercest rivals who dangerously lobbied for his position will succeed him,” a top police source disclosed.
“The only exception is Frank Mba, who is not a threat to him for now.”
Egbetokun’s tenure has been fraught with controversy, with the extension of his tenure by the National Assembly to delay his retirement.
Egbetokun was originally scheduled to retire in September 2024 upon reaching the age of 60. However, the National Assembly amended the Police Act in 2024, guaranteeing a full four-year tenure for the Inspector General of Police, irrespective of the standard civil service retirement age.
Under the revised law, an IGP's term is counted from the date of appointment, which for Egbetokun was October 31, 2023. Consequently, his tenure was extended until October 31, 2027, enabling him to serve the full four-year term, despite ongoing debates over the amendment.
Critics argue that his continued occupation of the office raises serious ethical and legal concerns, particularly after he removed other officers who exceeded the retirement age of 60 or the 35-year service limit.
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