The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, officially assumed leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, declaring that the era of lawlessness within the ranks has come to a definitive end.
Addressing a gathering of high-ranking officers and stakeholders, the Acting IGP described his elevation to the nation’s top policing job as both “humbling and deeply emotional,” particularly as the appointment arrived at a point in his career where he least expected it.
“The President’s public acknowledgement of my past assignments and achievements shows a close attention to officers serving across the country,” Disu stated. “It serves as a massive challenge to deliver even more. To the citizens of Nigeria, you remain the ‘real bosses’ of the Police, and my administration will reflect that reality.”
Disu emphasised that his primary mission would centre on peace, stability, and national cohesion. He noted that his first order of business would be a direct engagement with the rank and file to reinforce the necessity of public trust.
“Policing anywhere in the world cannot succeed without public cooperation,” Disu maintained. “We are entering a season of strict adherence to human rights standards and a zero-tolerance stance on corruption. To be clear: the era of impunity is over.”
While acknowledging the weight of current security threats, including banditry and insurgency, the new police chief promised to bolster operational effectiveness through better coordination and a renewed focus on personnel welfare. He argued that a motivated force is the only way to ensure the safety of the Nigerian people.
The ceremony also featured a reflective address by the outgoing Inspector-General, Kayode Egbetokun, who expressed profound gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for a relationship of trust spanning decades. Egbetokun, who served as Tinubu’s Chief Security Officer during his tenure as Governor of Lagos State, framed the transition as the culmination of a long-term vision for leadership.
“A lesson I learned from the President during his days as governor is that a good leader must have a succession plan and invest in likely successors,” Egbetokun remarked. “I have deliberately invested in capable officers within this Force, and I am immensely satisfied that one of them has emerged to take the mantle.”
The former IGP praised Disu’s previous contributions to intelligence coordination and the dismantling of criminal syndicates, specifically citing his role in implementing the presidential directive to withdraw personnel from unauthorised VIP protection duties.
Egbetokun concluded by expressing total confidence that his successor would not only sustain current reforms but exceed them. “I believe he will surpass my achievements. This transition is a continuation of our shared goals to strengthen intelligence response, discipline, and professionalism within the Force.”
