The Nigerian news cycle was dominated today by an explosive claim regarding the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force. On 24 February 2026, **Omoyele Sowore**, the presidential candidate of the African Action Congress (AAC) in the 2023 general election, alleged that **Inspector‑General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has been removed from office and replaced** by a senior officer currently serving at the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) in Lagos. This claim, initially reported by *The Guardian Nigeria’s* Sodiq Omolaoye, has not been confirmed by any government official as of press time. 0
Claims by Omoyele Sowore
In a statement made earlier today, Sowore asserted that Egbetokun’s leadership as the Inspector‑General of Police has effectively ended, signaling that he has been succeeded by a senior police officer at the FCIID in Lagos. However, Sowore did not provide any official confirmation documents, presidential announcements, or Force Headquarters sources to support the claim. Media reports highlight that this remains an allegation communicated through Sowore’s camp rather than an officially verified government action. 1
Sowore has been a vocal critic of Egbetokun’s tenure in the past, especially regarding his age and length of service relative to Nigeria’s mandatory retirement policies. Throughout 2024 and 2025, Sowore repeatedly questioned the legality of Egbetokun’s stay in office, asserting that the police chief should have exited upon attaining the retirement age of 60. 2
Official Silence and Lack of Confirmation
At the time of the latest reporting, neither the **Nigeria Police Force (NPF)** nor the **Presidency** has issued a statement to confirm or deny Sowore’s claim. Journalists seeking comment from the Force Public Relations Officer, **CSP Benjamin Hundeyin**, reported no answered calls, and subsequent messages requesting clarity remained unanswered by publication time. 3
The absence of an official response from either the Nigeria Police Force or the Office of the President underscores a critical point: while the situation is widely reported as breaking, it is still unverified. In fast‑moving political and security developments such as this, confirmation from authoritative sources — such as presidential press releases or official Force statements — is fundamental to distinguish between rumor and verified leadership change. 4
Background: Egbetokun’s Tenure and Controversy
To understand the context of today’s developments, it is important to consider the broader controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s time in office. Kayode Egbetokun was appointed acting Inspector‑General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu in October 2023, with his appointment taking effect on 31 October 2023. 5
Historically, this appointment has been the centre of public debate. Critics, including activists and civil society figures, argued that Egbetokun should have left office upon reaching the statutory retirement age, with some claiming the extension of his tenure was unconstitutional. Sowore and others repeatedly called this into question. 6
The Federal Government later sponsored an amendment to the Police Act, establishing a single four‑year term for the Inspector‑General of Police regardless of age or years of service. This amendment allowed Egbetokun to remain in office beyond his 60th birthday and has been a source of both legal interpretation and political controversy. 7
Legal Interpretations: Power Over Appointment and Removal
Constitutional experts and legal authorities have repeatedly clarified that the **power to appoint or remove the Inspector‑General of Police** rests solely with the **President of Nigeria**, based on the advice of the Police Council. Neither the Police Service Commission (PSC) nor any other body holds constitutional authority to execute removal independently. 8
This was affirmed in a statement by the PSC, which explicitly stated that it does not possess the constitutional mandate to appoint or remove the IGP. The PSC’s jurisdiction focuses on the appointment, promotion, and discipline of other police officers within the Nigeria Police Force, but not the Inspector‑General. 9
Political Implications and Broader Reactions
Today’s allegation has reverberated across Nigeria’s political landscape. Supporters of the claim insist that if true, it represents a historic shift in the leadership of Nigeria’s principal security force. Critics have countered that without presidential confirmation or a public directive, the claim has no legal standing. Given the presidency’s central role in appointing and removing the IGP, only an official statement or government release can responsibly confirm any leadership change within the force. 10
Civil society groups and political observers have taken to public forums to question the silence from government entities. Some see it as deliberate caution until formal processes are completed; others portray it as a media‑driven claim without substance. In a highly charged security and political environment, both interpretations reflect the stakes of leadership in the Nigeria Police Force. 11
Why This Matters: Security and Governance in Nigeria
The position of Inspector‑General of Police in Nigeria wields immense influence over national security operations, policing strategy, and public safety. Any reported movement at this level, therefore, carries deep implications for how law enforcement is managed across the federation. Today’s reports — unconfirmed as they remain — contribute to ongoing debate about accountability, public trust, and the oversight of Nigeria’s key security institutions. With incidents of insecurity, banditry, and armed violence still prevalent in many regions, stability and clarity at the top of the police hierarchy remains a national priority. 12
Looking Forward
As of this publication, the situation remains fluid. Readers and citizens should expect further updates from official channels, especially from the Presidency and the Nigeria Police Force. Without that confirmation, reports like today’s remain in the category of *allegations and claims.*
The coming hours and days are likely to bring clarification, either affirming Sowore’s claim through presidential action or dismissing it through formal denials. In a democratic society, transparent communication from leadership — particularly in matters of security — is essential to sustaining public confidence. 13