Tunji Disu Assumes Office As Acting IGP, Promises Professional, Accountable Policing

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has a new sheriff in town: Tunji Disu, who on Wednesday assumed office as the acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Disu, 59, took over the reins as Nigeria’s new police chief at a brief ceremony at the Louis Edet House in Abuja, shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated him as the acting IGP.

The event came a day after Tinubu appointed him as the nation’s top cop.

Speaking at the handover, the former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad (RRS) promised to provide an accountable, modern, and professional policing.

“My tenure will be built on three clear commitments: professionalism, modernism, and accountability,” Disu told the gathering comprising top officers and family members, among others.

The acting IGP wants one thing from officers across the country: the best and nothing less.

“To all officers, I will demand the best from you because the people we serve deserve nothing less.

“Integrity, compassion, courage—these are not optional qualities; they are the job. But I make this promise in return: I will fight for your welfare, your dignity, and the conditions you need to serve effectively. You will not be asked to perform miracles with nothing,” the Lagos-born officer said.

“Leadership in this service from this day forward must be visible, accountable, and worthy of being followed.”

Though his appointment came as a surprise to many, the new police boss has little to no time for the flood of congratulatory messages and has set his sights on work.

“Ladies and gentlemen, this is not the end of a ceremony. This is the beginning of the work,” he said, thanking President Tinubu for the opportunity.

His appointment followed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as the IGP, citing pressing family reasons.

At the event, Egbetokun asked Disu to consolidate on the gains recorded during his tenure.

“As I hand over to my successor—one chosen among the best—I do so with confidence in his competence, experience, and strategic capacity. The foundation has been reinforced; the system recapitulated; the reform trajectory clearly defined,” the immediate IGP said.

“I charge him to consolidate these gains, deepen intelligence integration, and entrench community-centered policing as an enduring doctrine. In progress must not pause; it must accelerate.”

Egbetokun recounted some of the policing milestones recorded during his stint as IGP, including better inter-agency collaboration and enhanced accountability, among others.

“We also prioritized officer welfare, ensuring promotion as at when due, strengthening insurance frameworks, expanding housing initiatives, and investing in capacity development,” the immediate past IGP said.

“Public trust cannot be commanded by authority; it must be earned through integrity, transparency, and measurable results.”

He said, “Targeted operations during this period disrupted organized criminal kidnapping networks and contained violent criminal syndicates” were among the feats achieved by the police during his time in office.

Earlier at the decoration event, Tinubu expressed confidence in Disu’s ability, citing his work in Lagos State.

“I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level, and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” Tinubu told him at the Presidential Villa.

The president asked him to be innovative in addressing the security challenges affecting Nigeria.

“Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them,” the President was quoted as saying in a statement by his spokesman, Bayo Onanuga.

Until his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.

Before then, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was later deployed by Egbetokun to the FCT as commissioner.

The former AIG is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, a position previously held by Abba Kyari.

Tunji Disu was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island and enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.

Over the course of his career, he has served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in several locations, including Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Ikare and Owo in Ondo State, as well as Elimbu and Elelenwo in Rivers State.