Presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 election, Omoyele Sowore, has claimed that Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from office and replaced.

Sowore alleged on Tuesday that Egbetokun had been succeeded by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos. However, he did not provide official documents or confirmation to support the claim.

As of press time, neither the Presidency nor the Nigeria Police Force had issued a statement confirming any change in leadership. Efforts to reach Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin for clarification were unsuccessful, as he did not respond to calls but later requested that a text message be sent, promising a response. No reply had been received at the time of filing this report.

Sowore has repeatedly questioned Egbetokun’s continued tenure, arguing that the police chief should have left office after attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.

President Bola Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as acting IGP in October 2023, effective October 31, 2023, pending confirmation by the National Assembly.

Amid controversy over the 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 provision allows Egbetokun to remain in office until October 2027.