Abiola Sopeju
President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police at the State House in Abuja, urging him to strengthen discipline within the force, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and restore public confidence.
The expanded swearing-in ceremony, attended by top government officials, marked Disu’s formal assumption of office as Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.
Tinubu praised Disu’s dedication and experience, particularly his service in Lagos, and charged him to “lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level, and ensure safety of lives and property remains our highest priority.”
He assured the new police chief of his full support in advancing the security pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda.
The President also commended outgoing IGP Kayode Egbetokun for his service, describing him as a dedicated officer who had ensured a worthy successor.
Egbetokun’s resignation was confirmed on Tuesday, paving the way for Disu’s appointment.
Speaking after his decoration, Disu vowed to prioritize citizen welfare and human rights, declaring that “the area of impunity is over.”
He said police officers would be trained to follow human rights protocols and emphasized that no police force can succeed without public cooperation.
Disu identified banditry and insurgency as major challenges facing Nigeria, promising to motivate officers to confront them while maintaining zero tolerance for corruption.
His predecessor, former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun praised Disu as a seasoned officer with a proven track record, recalling their shared mentorship under President Tinubu dating back to his days as Lagos governor.
He noted that Disu had been part of his administration from the beginning, serving as his Principal Staff Officer, Commissioner of Police in Rivers and FCT, and later as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Special Protection Unit.
Egbetokun highlighted Disu’s role in enforcing the presidential directive to withdraw police orderlies from VIPs, saying he executed it “so well” and proved his competence.
“I have so much confidence that he will surpass what I have done,” Egbetokun said, advising his successor to continue reforms they had initiated together, including restructuring intelligence coordination, improving inter-agency deployment models, and dismantling criminal syndicates.
With his swearing-in, the Lagos-born 59-year-old officer assumes leadership of the Nigeria Police Force in acting capacity, pending confirmation by the Police Council and Senate.
His tenure begins at a critical time for internal security, with expectations that he will build on reforms initiated by his predecessor while charting a new course for discipline, collaboration, and public trust.
