IGP’s Resignation Strategic Move To Ease Tension, Reduce Rising Protests – Security Expert

 

A retired Army Captain and security expert, Amb. Abdullahi Adamu Bakoji, has described the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun, the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as a strategic move aimed at calming public tension and restoring confidence in the Nigeria’s security system.

Speaking in an exclusive interview with theglobalnewsupdate on Wednesday, Bakoji said the resignation did not happen in isolation but followed sustained public pressure, controversies surrounding the handling of protests, and concerns about the politicization of the police force.

According to him, “The resignation appears to be the result of combined factors, including sustained public pressure, controversies surrounding the handling of protests, and broader concerns about the politicization of the police force.”

He added that the decision may also be a deliberate effort to rebuild public trust in the country’s security architecture.

On whether the resignation was expected, the security expert noted that given the level of criticism and tension that marked parts of the former IGP’s tenure, the development was not entirely surprising.

“Given the level of public criticism and the tensions that marked parts of his tenure, the resignation was not entirely unexpected,” Bakoji stated.

He explained that civil society groups and some political actors had openly expressed dissatisfaction, creating visible pressure around the office of the IGP.

“There had been visible signs of dissatisfaction from civil society and segments of the political space,” he added.

Assessing the timing of the resignation, Bakoji described it as significant, suggesting it may have been carefully calculated.

“The timing is significant. It suggests a strategic move to ease public tension following recent protests and mounting pressure. It may also be aimed at resetting the security narrative and stabilizing the situation.

"The timing is significant. It suggests a strategic move to ease public tension following recent protests and mounting pressure,” he said.

He further noted that the move could be part of a broader attempt to reset the security narrative and stabilize the country’s political atmosphere.

On the former IGP’s leadership during the Electoral Act protests, Bakoji acknowledged that efforts were made to maintain law and order but raised concerns about how those efforts were implemented.

"While efforts were made to maintain law and order, there were concerns about the balance between enforcing security and protecting citizens’ rights to peaceful assembly,” he said.

According to him, striking the right balance between security enforcement and civil liberties remains a critical issue in assessing the former police chief’s leadership during that period.

"That balance remains a key issue in assessing his leadership during that period,” he emphasized.

Reacting to concerns about possible political alignment, Bakoji noted that while the IGP is expected to implement government policies, the police as an institution must maintain neutrality.

“As IGP, he was expected to implement government policies. However, the critical issue is whether the police maintained institutional neutrality,” he said.

"Public perception suggests there were concerns about political alignment, which may have affected trust in the force,” Bakoji concluded.

Recall that on Tuesday, Kayode Egbetokun resigned from his position as Inspector-General of Police.

The Presidency of Nigeria confirmed his resignation Tuesday evening, stating that he stepped down due to family issues that require his undivided attention. .

Egbetokun was replaced with Olatunji Disu.

Alleged reasons for removal

Despite the official claim that he resigned for family reasons, reports indicated that other factors may have influenced Mr Egbetokun’s exit.

According to Premium Times, presidency sources allegedly said his opposition to state policing was a major issue, as his position was said to differ from that of the government.

Another reported reason was linked to a November 2025 directive by President Bola Tinubu ordering the withdrawal of police officers from VIP protection, directing such requests to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps instead. Sources claimed compliance with the order was unsatisfactory.

A third factor, the newspaper reported, was Mr Egbetokun’s alleged blacklisting by the International Press Institute (IPI) Nigeria.

theglobalnewsupdate recalls that President Bola Tinubu appointed Kayode Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on 19 June 2023, and his appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council in October 2023. Although he was expected to retire at 60 under the Police Act, the National Assembly of Nigeria later amended the law to grant IGPs a fixed four-year tenure which extended his term to October 2027.