THE Nigerian presidency is silent amid claims that President Bola Tinubu has removed Inspector-General of Police, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.

Premium Times reported that IGP Egbetokun was replaced by Assistant Inspector-General Tunji Disu.

The newspaper quoted a presidency source who said that Mr Egbetokun was instructed to relinquish his position during a meeting with the president at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

While there has been no formal public announcement, the newspaper claimed that insiders within both the presidency and police headquarters disclosed that arrangements were ongoing for a ceremonial transfer of authority between Mr Egbetokun and Mr Disu.

Mr Egbetokun became the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023 after his appointment by President Tinubu. The Nigeria Police Council later ratified his substantive appointment on October 31, 2023.

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He was 58 at the time of his appointment and was originally expected to retire on September 4, 2024 upon attaining the statutory retirement age of 60.

However, the National Assembly amended the police legislation, enabling him to complete a four-year tenure as IGP unless removed by the president.

Following the amendment, Mr Egbetokun was projected to remain in office until October 31, 2027.

Amid public criticism over the tenure extension, the presidency maintained that his continued stay in office was lawful under the revised Police Act 2024, which grants an appointed IGP a fixed four-year term irrespective of age or length of service.

His time in office was overshadowed by a number of controversies, particularly allegations relating to human rights violations. He was criticised for clamping down on protesters, including civil society groups demonstrating against Nigerian government’s oppression. Last Tuesday, the Nigeria police under his watch fired tear gas at peaceful protesters demanding full electoral reforms at the National Assembly, acting with the force and severity reminiscent of a military dictatorship.

As of press time, the presidency had not issued an official statement confirming his exit. Attempts to reach presidential spokesperson Bayo Onanuga and police spokesperson Ben Hundeyin were unsuccessful.