President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday formally decorated Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police at a ceremony held inside his office at the State House, Abuja.
The event, which took place around 4pm at the Presidential Villa, was attended by key government officials, including the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the immediate past Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform, officially elevating him to the rank of acting IGP. The President also commended Egbetokun for his contributions to the Nigeria Police Force and his service to the country.
Disu’s appointment comes barely 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, provisions in the amended Police Act grant an Inspector-General of Police a fixed four-year tenure, irrespective of age. This means Disu could remain in office until 2030, subject to due process and confirmation.
Egbetokun’s exit followed the submission of his resignation letter to the President on Tuesday. According to a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, the former IGP cited family issues requiring his undivided attention. Tinubu accepted the resignation and immediately announced Disu as his successor in acting capacity.
However, sources within the Presidency indicated that Egbetokun may have been asked to step aside during a meeting with the President at the Villa on Monday evening.
Disu will continue to serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation. In line with constitutional requirements and the Police Act 2020, the President is expected to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider his appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police. His name will subsequently be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.
His elevation is also expected to trigger a shake-up within the upper ranks of the Force. At least nine Deputy Inspectors-General of Police may retire, following the longstanding tradition that senior officers step down when a junior officer is appointed IGP. Several Assistant Inspectors-General who are senior to Disu could also be affected, with estimates suggesting that between 15 and 20 top officers may exit the service.
Disu is expected to formally assume office at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday during a handover ceremony that will include a parade of senior officers.
Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has spent over three decades in operational, investigative, and leadership roles. He holds a degree in English Education from Lagos State University, as well as master’s degrees in Public Administration and in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology.
Throughout his career, he has undergone extensive professional training both locally and internationally, including courses on small arms smuggling, internet fraud, strategic leadership, forensic investigations, and criminal intelligence.
Disu gained national recognition during his six-year tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State, where he rebranded the unit and led it to regional accolades. In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team, a specialised unit responsible for tackling high-profile crimes across the country.
He has also served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and most recently as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos.
Beyond policing, Disu is an accomplished judoka with a third-dan black belt. He has won medals at both national and international competitions and currently serves as patron of the Nigerian Police Judo Association.
His record during the 2020 #EndSARS protests, particularly his reported decision to deploy ambulances to assist injured protesters while leading the Rapid Response Squad, drew public attention and commendation.
With his decoration now complete, attention shifts to the Nigeria Police Council and the Senate for the final steps that could confirm Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police.
Comments are closed.