Kayode Egbetokun
By Victory Oghene
That the former Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, resigned recently from office is a stale news.
What is perhaps news is that the former police boss was asked to resign by President Bola Tinubu based on his stance against the establishment of state police which contradicts that of the president.
NATIONAL WAVES learnt that Egbetokun was vehemently opposed to the creation of state police on the grounds that State governors will use them as ‘private security apparatus to intimadate and harrass their political opponents. He added that the governor might use the state police police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.
Egbetokun was not alone on this, NATIONAL WAVES gathered a good number of the Senators and member ls 9f rhe House of Representatives are also averse to the idea of state policing. They believe the governors will use the state police as thier ‘secret soldiers’ to bully their political opponents and trample on human rights.
A dependable source in the know confided in NATIONAL WAVES. “Yes I can tell you for free that Egbetokun was asked to resign because he kicked against the creation of state police, he made it known that the state governors will use them to silence their perceived enemies in the state and most of the lawmakers who are expected to chambers of the national assembly to amend the 1999 constitution to create a legal framework for the establishment of state police
aligned with Egbetokun on his take”
Contrary to the official narrative that ex-police chief resigned for family reasons, sources squealed that President Bola Tinubu asked him to resign basically because he did not support the establishment of state police.
Recall that Egbetokun resigned as IGP at the request of President Tinubu on February 24, 2025. The presidency confirmed his resignation and appointed Olatunji Disu, as the new Inspector-General of Police
Egbetokun, who was 58 at the time of his appointment, was expected to leave office upon attaining the age of 60, in line with the Police Act. The law provides that officers must retire upon reaching 60 years of age or after completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
Before he reached either the age or years-of-service threshold, the National Assembly amended the Police Act to grant IGPs a fixed four-year tenure, regardless of age or length of service, unless they resign or are removed by the president.
The amendment effectively prolonged Mr Egbetokun’s tenure, allowing him to serve a full four-year term that would have ended on 31 October 2027. The move triggered criticism from segments of the public who questioned both its legality and timing. In response, the presidency insisted that his continued stay in office was lawful, citing provisions of the amended police law.
Egbetokun left office at 61, a few months after marking 35 years in service in 2025.
Despite Egbetokun’s stance against state police, the presidency believes it would positively impact national security.
Recall that the president had repeatedly advocated for the creation of state police. Speaking at the National Dialogue on State Policing in April 2024, Mr Tinubu said his commitment to reforming the Nigeria Police Force and enhancing national security was “unwavering.”
Represented by Vice President Kashim Shettima, Mr Tinubu described state policing not as just a policy idea but as a potential milestone in the evolution of the nation’s law enforcement that would allow policing to be more responsive to local needs.
At the same event, Mr Egbetokun took a position opposed to that of the president. He argued that Nigeria is not “mature” to adopt state policing. The former police boss, represented by Ben Okolo, feared that the system could be abused by state officials.
“It is the submission of the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force that Nigeria is yet to mature and ready for the establishment of state-controlled police,” Mr Egbetokun said.
“There is the potential for abuse of power by the state political leadership”, Mr Egbetokun said. “State governors could use the police forces under their control for political or personal gain and undermine human rights and security.”
That President Tinubu is in support of state policing is evudent in statement that canvassed for the creation of state police.
While hosting the leadership of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Mr Tinubu reiterated his position on the matter.
Even a few hours before Mr Egbetokun was removed from office, the president told governors and senior officials during an interfaith breaking of fast at the Presidential Banquet Hall in Abuja, that his administration would create state police.
“What I promise you is not to be postponed,” Mr Tinubu was quoted as saying at the event. “We will establish state police to combat insecurity.”
The newly appointed inspector-general of police (IGP), Tunji Disu has commenced moves on the creation of state police. He inaugurated a seven-member steering committee on the establishment of state police in Nigeria.
The committee, which will be led by Olu Ogunsakin, a professor of police studies, was inaugurated on Wednesday.
Speaking during the inauguration, Disu asked the committee to propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of state police structures.
The IGP asked the committee to review issues pertaining to training, recruitment, resource allocation, and oversight mechanisms necessary for the state police structures.
Disu said the decentralisation of the police will enable state government and local authorities to respond to specific security challenges within their jurisdictions.
“It is my greatest privilege to formally inaugurate this committee on state policing. The task before this committee is both significant and timely as it speaks to our reflective demand to strengthen Nigeria’s security,” he said
“The committee we are inaugurating today has a critical responsibility. Your work will help shape the framework through which state policing may operate in Nigeria in a manner that strengthens, rather than fragments, our national security system.
“In carrying out this assignment, your deliberations must be guided by professionalism, objectivity, and a clear appreciation of the unique complexities of policing a diverse nation such as ours.
“Among other responsibilities, the Committee is expected to: review existing policing models within and outside Nigeria; assess community security needs and emerging risks across the country; propose an operational framework for the establishment and coordination of State Police structures; address issues relating to recruitment, training, standards, and resource allocation; develop robust accountability and oversight mechanisms to ensure professionalism and public trust.
“If thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented, State Policing holds significant potential benefits for our country.
“By bringing law enforcement closer to communities, state police institutions can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker and more targeted responses to emerging threats.”
One other likely reason why the president removed Egbetokun from office was attributed to his blacklist by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria. The IPI Nigeria blacklisted Egbetokun, adding his name to the Book of Infamy.
“President Tinubu is not happy on how the IPI blacklisted Egbetokun, he asked Egbetokun to checkmate the attacks and harassment of journalists” said the source
Recall that under Egbetokun’s watch, about 24 journalists were harassed by police officers, and many of the incidents were without consequences for perpetrators.
