Sowore Claims IGP Egbetokun Removed, Authorities Yet to Respond

The presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, Omoyele Sowore, has alleged that the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has been removed from office.

Sowore made the claim on Tuesday, stating that Egbetokun had been replaced by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos. He, however, did not provide any official confirmation or documentary evidence to support the allegation.

As of the time of filing this report, there was no statement from the Presidency or the Nigeria Police Force confirming the alleged development.

Attempts to reach the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, were unsuccessful. He did not answer calls placed to his phone but later sent a message requesting that a text message be forwarded to him, promising a response. As at press time, he had yet to reply.

Sowore has consistently questioned Egbetokun’s tenure, maintaining that the police chief should have exited office upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 60.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting Inspector-General of Police in October 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly, with the appointment taking effect from October 31, 2023.

Following debates over the IGP’s tenure, the Federal Government sponsored an amendment to the Police Act introducing a single four-year term for an Inspector-General of Police, regardless of age or years of service.

The amendment allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.