Acting IGP Reads The Riot Act To Officers, Says Era Of Impunity Over

By Jonathan Nda-Isaiah, Ejike Ejike and Tarkaa David, Abuja

President Bola Tinubu Wednesday charged the newly decorated acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to strengthen discipline within the Nigeria Police Force and confront banditry, terrorism, and other criminal activities threatening the country.

Speaking during the decoration ceremony at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the President said Disu was assuming office at a defining moment in Nigeria’s security landscape.

“I expect you to strengthen discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and restore public confidence in the Nigerian Police,” Tinubu said.

He urged the new police chief to lead “firmly but fairly,” demand professionalism at every level, and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains the highest priority.

Describing the assignment as daunting, the President expressed confidence in Disu’s capacity, recalling his record of dedication during his service in Lagos when Tinubu was governor of the state.

“You have my full support as you advance the security pillars of the Renewed Hope Agenda,” the President said, noting that Nigeria was currently challenged by banditry, terrorism, and other forms of criminality.

Tinubu also paid tribute to the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, thanking him for his dedication and service to the nation.

“We are a grateful nation to you,” he said, commending Egbetokun for maintaining law and order and urging him to take pride in grooming a successor.

On his part, the new acting IGP Disu vowed to end impunity within the Nigeria Police Force, declaring that the era of misconduct and disregard for human rights was over.

Speaking to State House correspondents shortly after his decoration by President Tinubu, Disu said he would enforce strict discipline, zero tolerance for corruption, and greater respect for citizens’ rights.

“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over,” he said.

“I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights. I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance for corruption.”

Disu emphasised that policing cannot succeed without the cooperation of the public, stressing that citizens must be treated as partners in security efforts.

“One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men is to let them know that the citizens of this country are the boss. No police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” he said.

He added that officers’ welfare would also receive attention, noting that motivated personnel perform better.

The acting IGP said the President’s remarks during the ceremony, in which he highlighted his past assignments and achievements, were deeply moving and served as a challenge to deliver results.

“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country. It almost brought me to tears. It shows he is throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for and ensure that I bring peace to the country,” Disu said.

He acknowledged the security challenges confronting Nigeria, including banditry and insurgency, but praised officers for their dedication.

“All police officers around have been doing their best. They are hardworking people. All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make things better,” he stated.

Outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was also present at the ceremony, expressed confidence in his successor, describing him as capable of surpassing his achievements.

“I have so much confidence that he will surpass what I have done,” Egbetokun said, adding that Disu had been part of his administration from the beginning and was fully familiar with ongoing reforms and operational strategies.

PCRC, Stakeholders Call for Support for New IGP

The Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has called for support for the newly appointed acting inspector-general of police, Olatunji Disu, to succeed in his objectives of ridding the police of impunity.

National chairman of the PCRC, Alhaji Ibraheem Mogaji Olaniyan, noted that Disu’s over three decades of experience in policing, intelligence, crime control, and security management will further strengthen the Nigeria Police Force.

He tasked the new IGP to deepen police reforms instituted by the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

After his decoration by President Bola Tinubu, Disu had pledged to end impunity and corruption in the Nigeria Police Force.

Reacting to this, retired assistant inspector-general of police, Benjamin Ademola, advised the IGP to settle properly into the position and address the situation head-on.

He stated that it was too early to assess the IGP based on his statement in the villa, noting that he should be given enough time to settle down.

Also speaking, a retired commissioner of police, Musa Adamu, called for support from the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerians in general for the IGP to succeed in his duty.

He said that for the IGP to make such a statement publicly showed that he had good intentions for the Nigeria Police Force.

The PCRC, in a statement signed by the director of global communications and media relations, Olayemi Esan, also commended Egbetokun for his exceptional leadership, intelligence, capacity, and profound sense of duty as he exited the service.

Meanwhile, while speaking at the Force headquarters after taking over as the acting IGP, Disu said his leadership will prioritise professionalism, technological modernisation, strict accountability systems, enhanced officer welfare, and stronger community partnerships.

Disu said the expectations of Nigerians are high, adding that meeting and surpassing them will define the success of his administration.

He outlined a policing agenda anchored on five pillars: professionalism and ethical conduct; technological modernisation; accountability and internal discipline; improved welfare and dignity of officers; and community partnership and public trust.

He reaffirmed the primacy of community-centred policing, stressing that real security is achieved through collaboration between citizens and law enforcement.

Profile of Nigeria’s 23rd Indigenous IGP

Disu is Nigeria’s 23rd indigenous inspector-general of police after taking over from IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun (rtd), who served from 19 June 2023 to 24 February 2026.

The acting inspector-general of police was born on 13 April 1966 and hails from Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos State.

His educational qualifications include: MSc Entrepreneurship, NOUN (2023); MSc Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology, LASU (2022); Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation and Criminal Intelligence, UNILAG (2019); MSc Public Administration, Adekunle Ajasin University (2010); PGD International Relations and Strategic Studies, LASU (2000); and BA English (Education), LASU (1990).

He joined the Nigeria Police Force as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police on 18 May 1992 and brings to the office a wealth of operational, investigative, intelligence, and administrative experience garnered over decades of distinguished service in various strategic capacities across the country.

Until his appointment, he was Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

Some of his other notable past postings include: Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja; Commissioner of Police, FCT Police Command; Commissioner of Police (CP), Rivers State Police Command; Commissioner of Police, Admin and Intelligence, Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB); Deputy Commissioner of Police, Head, Intelligence Response Team (IRT); Commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos, 2015–2021; Assistant Commissioner of Police, Criminal Investigation Department, Rivers State; Officer in Charge, Anti-Kidnapping, Rivers State; Officer in Charge, Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ondo State/Oyo State, 2011–2014.

He also served as Divisional Police Officer, Ondo State, 2007–2013; Officer in Charge, Training, Nigeria Police Peace-Keeping Department; Directing Staff, Nigerian Police Academy, Kano; Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to former Governor Lagos State; Officer in Charge, Anti-Fraud, State Criminal Investigation Department, Katsina, 1993–1998.

Ag. IGP Olatunji Disu is a member of the following associations and bodies: International Academy of Forensics; National Association of Investigative Specialists, United States of America (NAIS); Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR); Chartered Institute of Personnel Management (CIPM); and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.

He successfully led the first-ever Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) to quell the crisis in Darfur, Sudan, in 2005.

He was once National Chairman of the Nigeria Police Judo Association and has won his third black belt in Judo, with many other medals, including a silver medal at the 2022 US Open Judo Championships.

His track record of leadership, professionalism, and dedication to duty underscores his readiness to steer the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force at this critical time.

Meanwhile, the Nigeria Police Force has expressed profound appreciation to the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM (rtd), for his invaluable contributions to the growth, modernisation, and strengthening of the Force.

The new acting inspector-general of police reassured officers and men of the Force, stakeholders, and the general public of his commitment to consolidating existing reforms, enhancing internal security, strengthening community partnerships, and advancing the Force’s mandate of protecting lives and property in line with global best practices.

New IGP Can’t Perform Magic Without Improved Funding – Experts

Security experts have commended the appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police and called for increased funding for the Police.

Speaking with LEADERSHIP, the experts said that though a fine gentleman officer, he would not be able to achieve much without adequately funding the Police.

A former director of the Department of State Services, Barr. Mike Ejiofor, said merely changing the leadership without changing the structures of the Police, equipping, and funding them will not make much difference.

He noted that though this year the Police had been allocated the highest budget in its history, its implementation remains a challenge.

He urged the new police chief to embark on reforms to redeem the image of the service.

“This year’s budget is the highest so far, but what percentage of the budget is being implemented? So it’s not just making bogus budgets without adequate release of commensurate funds, but I expect the new IG to carry out a lot of reforms, especially in terms of discipline and public image, to make people have confidence in the police. I sympathise with him; he is an intelligent officer, but I don’t see him performing magic without commensurate funding.”

To the director of Media and Public Communication, International Institute of Professional Security (IPPS), Abdullahi Mohammed Jabi, Disu’s appointment was a round peg in a round hole.

He, however, expressed reservations with the reported number of senior Police officers that will be compulsorily retired.

“He is a very fine gentleman officer, and he is going to bring his expertise to bear on the job. My disagreement with this appointment is that it didn’t give other DIGs the opportunity to remain so that the nation can tap into their wealth of experience. We are losing our best hands untimely, which is not good for the country. I’m not happy with this development,” he said.