President Bola Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) and appointed Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Tunji Disu as the new Acting IGP with immediate effect.

Egbetokun tendered his resignation letter earlier on Tuesday, citing pressing family considerations.

Announcing the development, the Presidency, in a statement issued on Tuesday by Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said President Tinubu expressed profound appreciation to the outgoing police chief for his decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force and the nation.

The President acknowledged Egbetokun’s dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture during his tenure.

Appointed in June 2023, Egbetokun was serving a four-year term scheduled to conclude in June 2027, in line with the amended provisions of the Police Act.

In view of the prevailing security challenges across the country, President Tinubu, acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, approved the appointment of AIG Tunji Disu to steer the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force in an acting capacity.

The President expressed confidence that Disu’s experience, operational depth, and demonstrated leadership capacity would provide steady and focused direction for the Force at a critical time.

“In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will shortly convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police,” the statement said.

Following the Council’s consideration, Disu’s name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation, in line with statutory requirements.

President Tinubu reiterated his administration’s unwavering commitment to enhancing national security, strengthening institutional capacity, and ensuring that the Nigeria Police Force remains professional, accountable, and fully equipped to discharge its constitutional responsibilities.

The Presidency assured Nigerians that the leadership transition would not disrupt ongoing security operations nationwide.

The police have arraigned an 83-year-old man, Idowu Olowo, before an Ile-Ife Magistrates’ Court in Osun, over alleged land grabbing.

The defendant whose address was not provided, is facing charges bordering on land grabbing, forcible entry, threat to life and stealing.

The prosecutor, ASP Kehinde Ojugbele, told the court that the defendant committed the offences sometimes in 2025 about 11.00a.m at Kajola, Onikanga village, Ifetedo.

He added that the defendant forcibly entered into a land belonging to Ajetunmobi Adeniyi and threatened his life for the purpose of land grabbing.

According to him, the defendant sometimes in February 2025 at about 11.00a.m at Kajola, Onikanga village in Ifetedo, stole the farm produce including Cocoa fruits, kolanut fruits and palm kernel valued at N5 million, property of Adeniyi.

The prosecutor stated that the offences contravened Sections 81, 86 and 390 of the Criminal Code, Cap 34 Vol.11, Laws of Osun, 2002.

The defendant, however, pleaded not guilty.

The defendant’s counsel, Mrs Sidikat Salawu, applied for the bail on liberal terms, pledging that he would not jump bail.

The Magistrate, Mrs Abosede Sarumi, granted the defendant bail in the sum of N250,000 with two sureties in like sum.

Sarumi added the sureties must swear to affidavit of means, reside within the court jurisdiction, produce three years tax certificate and recent passport photographs.

She ordered that the defendant be remanded at Area Commander Police Station pending the perfection of his bail.

The court adjourned the case until March 2, for further mention.

(NAN)

Officials in the Onitsha South Local Government Area of Anambra State have sealed over 200 shops at the Bridge Head Market for failing to comply with the state’s directive to ignore the Monday “sit-at-home” order.

The affected shops, located across six market lines, were found under lock and key during a compliance monitoring exercise by the LG authorities on Monday.

It was gathered that there were no commercial activities in the area when the LG monitoring visited, as the traders reportedly refused to open their shops for business despite government directives mandating the resumption of normal trading activities.

The enforcement exercise was led by the Chairman of Onitsha South Local Government Area, Emeka Orji, and the Secretary of the Council, Paul Onuachalla.

During the operation, entrances to the affected market lines were sealed by the LG monitoring team, and new padlocks were secured to prevent access to the closed shops.

Speaking to journalists on Tuesday, Orji described the traders’ actions as unfortunate and counterproductive, particularly at a time when the state government is working to restore normal commercial activities across Anambra State.

According to him, there are strong indications that the allocations of the affected shops may be revoked and reassigned to other traders, pending the outcome of a full investigation by the authorities.

“He said, “It is sad and unfortunate that while the state government is making concerted efforts to revive economic activities in Anambra State on Mondays, some individuals are bent on sabotaging those efforts.

“Other markets and shops in Onitsha were open for business, but traders at the Bridge Head Market chose to shut down their operations.

“This amounts to economic sabotage against the state, and we will no longer tolerate such actions. The affected shops will remain sealed until next Monday. If the traders fail to comply by reopening for business on that day, the closure will be extended indefinitely.”

Also addressing journalists, the Secretary of the Council, Onuachalla, stated that the traders’ actions could constitute serious offences, including economic sabotage and related crimes under the law.

Onuachalla further disclosed that the shop allocations of the affected traders may be revoked in line with existing laws.

“This action amounts to economic sabotage against Anambra State and could be interpreted as aiding and abetting unlawful activities. As a council, we cannot treat such matters with kid gloves.

“We expected the traders to learn from the earlier closure of the Onitsha Main Market. However, they apparently believed they could disregard the government’s directive without consequences. They must now face the full weight of the law, and there will be no compromise.

“As we speak, the allocations of those shops are under review. Under the law, the government retains overriding authority over public property, and such allocations can be revoked in the public interest,” he added.