In a significant development for Nigeria’s law enforcement leadership, President Bola Tinubu has appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect. This decision comes in the wake of the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure, which began in 2023, has now officially come to an end.
Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga announced the appointment in a statement released on Tuesday evening, citing the pressing security challenges confronting the nation as a key factor in the decision.
“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect,” Onanuga said.
The President has also committed to due process: under the provisions of the Police Act 2020, a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council will be convened shortly to consider AIG Disu’s appointment as substantive IGP. Once approved, his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation—a critical step toward institutionalizing transparency and accountability in the leadership of the nation’s police force.
A Career Forged in Service and Reform
Tunji Disu, who was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, brings a wealth of experience and a reputation for professionalism to the role. He enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and over the past three decades has served in key operational and administrative positions across the country.
Until his elevation, Disu was Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos—a position he assumed after being promoted to the rank of AIG in 2023. But his leadership journey spans far beyond this role.
Disu previously served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, where he commanded anti-kidnapping and anti-robbery operations with distinction. His reformist approach was evident early on, particularly during his leadership of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) in states like Ondo, Oyo, and Rivers—positions that have since become central to national conversations around police reform following the #EndSARS protests.
Notably, he served as second-in-command of the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Rivers and later as Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) in Abuja—a critical assignment that placed him at the heart of national security operations.
One of the most distinguished highlights of his career was his role in international peacekeeping. In 2005, Disu led the first Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan. As contingent commander in Darfur, he was later appointed acting Chief of Staff, showcasing Nigeria’s capacity for leadership in global peace operations.
Upon returning to Nigeria in 2006, he continued to rise through the ranks, eventually taking command of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) from June 2015 to August 2021. During his tenure, he launched the “The Good Guys” initiative—a public relations and reform-driven branding effort aimed at transforming the public perception of the police. The campaign emphasized professionalism, community engagement, and respect for human rights, aligning with broader calls for policing reform across the country.
A New Chapter for the Nigeria Police Force
Disu’s background in intelligence is equally notable. He is a former head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) of the Nigeria Police Force—a unit previously led by the late Abba Kyari—and remains an active member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, underscoring his alignment with global best practices in law enforcement.
His appointment comes at a time of heightened security concerns, including rising cases of banditry, kidnapping, cybercrime, and communal conflicts. With public trust in the police still fragile, many are watching closely to see how the new Acting IGP will navigate these challenges while advancing institutional reforms.
President Tinubu’s emphasis on “extant laws and legal guidance” signals a potential shift toward a more structured and transparent approach to police leadership—an encouraging sign for reform advocates who have long called for depoliticization and professionalization of the force.
What Lies Ahead?
As Acting IGP, Tunji Disu’s immediate task will be to stabilize and reinvigorate the nation’s policing architecture. His track record suggests a leader committed to operational efficiency, public engagement, and reform. Yet, the road ahead is fraught with challenges—from improving welfare and morale among rank-and-file officers to rebuilding trust with the citizenry.
His formal consideration by the Nigeria Police Council and eventual confirmation by the Senate will be pivotal milestones. Should he be confirmed as substantive IGP, Disu will have the mandate not just to lead, but to redefine what modern, accountable policing looks like in Nigeria.
For now, the appointment of Tunji Disu marks a new chapter—one that many hope will be defined not just by action against crime, but by justice, integrity, and reform.
Nigeria is watching. The Good Guys are back on duty.
