The Integrity Youth Alliance, an organisation monitoring the development trends in the Nigeria Police Force for over 15 years, has said that the Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, never received an exclusive extension of his service from the Presidency.
Reacting to the last paragraph of the Punch Newspaper editorial of 2nd May 2025, titled “IG must enforce PMF withdrawal order”, the Publicity Director of the Alliance, Danjuma Lamido, said that Section 7(6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended) provides that a person appointed as IGP shall hold office for four years.
“It is very clear that Section 7(6) of the Police Act, 2020 (as amended) has been in existence before Egbetokun became the Inspector-General of Police, and the executive sent a bill seeking to amend Section 18 of the Police Act, 2020, to allow an officer appointed as the IGP to serve beyond the current limit of 35 years in service or the age of 60.
“This bill was passed before Egbetokun attained the age of 60 years while he was 34 years in service as of when the amended bill was passed.
Therefore, the Punch editorial that says “Egbetokun should justify the exclusive extension of his service by the Presidency” is mischievous and baseless.
“We won’t be surprised that Punch Newspaper is acting on the scripts of some unscrupulous elements who have failed to tarnish the reputation of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
On a final note, the Alliance called on IGP Kayode Egbetokun to concentrate on his vision for the Nigeria Police Force, which is a professionally competent, service-driven, and community-oriented force that supports the government’s agenda for economic, social, and political development. This vision includes restructuring policing methodologies, leveraging technology, and building strong community partnerships.
