Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, is reportedly grappling with a chronic kidney condition that has significantly affected his work schedule and intensified scrutiny over his leadership of the Nigeria Police Force.
Multiple sources confirmed to SaharaReporters that the IGP, who previously underwent a kidney transplant while serving as a Chief Superintendent of Police, is managing the demands of his current position with only one functioning kidney. The health strain, compounded by the rigours of the top police job, is said to be taking a visible toll on his performance.
As a result of his health challenges, Egbetokun is reported to limit his hours at Force Headquarters, often arriving by early afternoon and leaving ahead of official close time. He is said to operate more actively at night, working from a residence equipped with a makeshift medical facility.
These revelations follow the IGP’s cancelled trip to the United Kingdom in March 2025. The trip, initially approved for an international security conference, was also meant to provide him with a medical check-up. However, sources say President Bola Tinubu declined the travel request, citing the political sensitivity surrounding Egbetokun’s continued tenure amid growing discontent within the police hierarchy.
“Egbetokun is suffering from kidney issues. He had a transplant years ago and now relies on a single kidney. He works mostly at night from home,” one source disclosed.
Concerns over his health come at a time of deepening internal dissatisfaction. Senior officers have accused the IGP of discriminatory practices and ignoring court rulings related to the forced retirement of certain personnel. In March 2024, a court ordered the reinstatement of officers retired before reaching the statutory 60 years of age or 35 years in service, but the directive was reportedly disregarded.
The situation escalated in January 2025 when Egbetokun ordered an investigation into alleged service record falsifications among top officers. Critics claim the probe was strategically delayed until after Egbetokun secured a personal tenure extension.
Speculation continues over his possible replacement, with Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Idegwu Basil Okuoma, emerging as a potential successor. Okuoma, who previously headed Zone 14 in Katsina, is said to enjoy considerable support within security circles.
Insiders say President Tinubu is under increasing pressure to appoint a new police chief to stabilise the force and restore confidence in its leadership. Meanwhile, analysts warn that the IGP’s health and the unresolved controversies surrounding his administration could further weaken institutional morale and public trust in the Nigeria Police Force.
