The newly decorated Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has pledged to usher in a new era of accountability in the Nigeria Police Force, declaring an end to impunity and a strict zero-tolerance stance on corruption and human rights abuses.
Disu made the commitment on Wednesday shortly after he was decorated with his new rank by Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing journalists after the ceremony, the acting police chief stressed that the ultimate authority of the Force lies with the Nigerian people — not politicians.
“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over,” Disu said, referring to officers and men of the Force. “I will ensure that they are trained and encouraged to respect human rights. There will be zero tolerance for corruption.”
Disu revealed that one of his first actions in office would be to reorient officers nationwide on citizen-focused policing.
“The citizen of this country is the boss,” he emphasised. “No police organisation anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
He noted that building trust between the police and the public would be central to his leadership.
The acting IGP described the decoration ceremony as an emotional experience, especially as President Tinubu recounted highlights of his policing career.
“The President mentioned areas I’ve worked and successes I’ve recorded. It almost brought me to tears,” Disu said, adding that the detailed remarks reflected the President’s close monitoring of officers’ performance across the country.
According to him, the recognition also served as a challenge to deliver peace, stability, and improved security nationwide.
Beyond discipline and reform, Disu promised to prioritise the welfare of officers, saying motivated personnel are more effective.
“People who are motivated give their best,” he said.
On the country’s persistent security challenges — including banditry and insurgency — Disu expressed confidence in the capacity of officers across commands, pledging to boost morale and better coordinate efforts.
The immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the ceremony, voiced strong confidence in Disu’s leadership.
Egbetokun described him as a trusted officer with whom he shares a long professional history, dating back to their time under President Tinubu’s leadership in Lagos.
“I invested in likely successors in the Nigeria Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those I invested in has been found suitable for the job,” Egbetokun said, urging him to sustain ongoing reforms, including intelligence-led policing and stronger inter-agency collaboration.
President Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu and commended Egbetokun for his service to the nation.
The ceremony came barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation, officially citing family reasons. However, Presidency sources indicated that he was asked to step down during a meeting with the President earlier in the week.
Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would turn 60. However, under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General of Police is entitled to a fixed four-year tenure, regardless of age, meaning he could remain in office until 2030 if confirmed.
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, the Nigeria Police Council will soon meet to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive IGP before forwarding his name to the Senate for confirmation.
Disu’s elevation is expected to trigger a wave of retirements among senior officers, in line with established tradition. At least nine Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and several Assistant Inspectors-General senior to him may step down.
Sources within the Police Service Commission estimate that between 15 and 20 senior officers could exit the Force following his appointment.
Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 and has served in various operational and leadership capacities for over 30 years.
He gained national recognition as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he rebranded the unit as “The Good Guys” and led it to win the Best Anti-Crime Squad award in West Africa in 2016.
He later headed the Intelligence Response Team in 2021 and served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory before his most recent role as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
Disu is expected to formally assume office at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, with a ceremonial handover and parade of senior officers.