Yesterday, a new chapter in police history began.
Kayode Egbetokun, who was scheduled to retire in June of next year, resigned as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) with immediate effect.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Olatunji Rilwan Disu was named acting Inspector General of Police by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, who immediately accepted his resignation. Following the Police Council’s confirmation of his appointment and the Senate’s clearance for the role, he will become the 23rd IGP.
Even though Egbetokun claimed to be departing for personal reasons, it was believed that his persistent criticism of the state police, which the president believed was crucial to reducing national insecurity, may have been the cause of his departure.
Furthermore, according to government insiders, his mishandling of the presidential order to remove orderlies from public office holders who are not allowed to have police protection may have been another cause for his hasty departure.
Egbetokun consistently declared that he would strengthen community policing and did not hesitate to express his opposition to state police in numerous public forums.
In June 2023, Egbetokun was appointed to a four-year term.
When he turned 60 in September 2024, there were calls for him to resign in accordance with a civil service regulation that requires officials to resign at age 60 or after 35 years of service, whichever comes first.
However, the administration claimed that the 2020 modification to the Police Act stipulated that the IG would have a four-year term unless he resigned or the President replaced him.
“The President acknowledged Egbetokun’s dedication, professionalism, and steadfast commitment to strengthening Nigeria’s internal security architecture during his tenure,” stated a statement released by Presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga yesterday, announcing the IG’s resignation.
According to the statement, “President Tinubu, acting in compliance with existing laws and legal guidance, approved the appointment of AIG Tunji Disu to steer the affairs of the Nigeria Police Force in an acting capacity, given the current security challenges throughout the country.”
The President said he was confident that Disu’s operational depth, experience, and proven leadership ability would give the Force clear, consistent guidance at a crucial moment.
According to the statement, “President Tinubu will shortly call a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police in compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.”
In accordance with legal regulations, Disu’s name will be sent to the Senate for confirmation after the Council has considered it.
President Tinubu reaffirmed his administration’s steadfast dedication to bolstering institutional capacity, improving national security, and making sure the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to carry out its constitutional duties in a professional, accountable manner.
Nigerians were reassured by the president that the change in leadership would not interfere with the country’s ongoing security efforts.
A cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) who joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, was born in Isale Eko, Lagos, Disu, on April 13, 1966. His enlistment in the Force signalled the start of over thirty years of active duty characterised by strategic management, operational policing, and intelligence work.
From 1993 until 1998, he began his career in investigative policing as Officer in Charge of the Anti-Fraud Section of the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Katsina.
Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the governor of Lagos State at the time, nominated Disu as his Aide-De-Camp (ADC) in 1999.
When he led Nigeria’s first police deployment to the African Union Mission in Sudan (Darfur) in 2005, he gained international recognition. Later, he gained invaluable experience in crisis management and multinational operations while serving as the contingent’s acting chief of staff.
Disu served in a number of operational leadership roles back home. He directed anti-kidnapping operations in Rivers State, where his efforts were internationally recognised, and served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ondo State. He also commanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) units in Ondo and Oyo states.
While serving as the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Commander, he gained national recognition. Under his direction, the RRS implemented community-centered and intelligence-led police tactics, which improved the unit’s operational efficacy and public perception.
Disu led the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a professional unit charged with combating organised crime networks, from 2021 to 2023. He then held important positions at Force Headquarters, such as Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the Inspector-General of Police and Commissioner of Police (CP) Administration. Additionally, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State before moving on to the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command.
He was assigned to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) after being promoted to Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) last year. After heading a unique covert operation in Kwara State, he went on to become AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.