The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has described the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as “good riddance,” characterising his extended tenure as a troubling precedent that undermined the integrity of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a stinging public statement released Tuesday and made available to Securitynewsalert.com, the advocacy group reacted to the reported appointment of Olatunji Disu as the new police chief, framing the leadership change as a critical crossroads for the country’s internal security.
RULAAC’s Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, noted that Egbetokun’s stay in office beyond his statutory retirement age, facilitated by controversial legislative amendments, had severely damaged personnel morale and public trust.
Nwanguma stated that the former IGP’s tenure was marked by declining police welfare, weak accountability for misconduct, and an erosion of public confidence, asserting that the Nigeria Police Force deserves better leadership and a firmer commitment to reform than it experienced during this controversial period.
The group further alleged that under the previous leadership, transparency suffered and serious human rights violations persisted without credible redress.
The appointment of Olatunji Disu has been met with cautious optimism by civil society, with RULAAC pointing to Disu’s track record, specifically his time as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, as evidence of a more humane policing model.
According to the statement, Disu stood out for a policing approach that combined firmness with restraint and operational effectiveness with compassion.
However, RULAAC warned that Disu inherits an institution that remains highly centralised, politically controlled, and burdened by systemic corruption, noting that no individual can succeed without confronting these institutional weaknesses.
To begin this transformation, RULAAC has identified a clear set of tasks for the new IGP, beginning with the restoration of police morale through comprehensive welfare reform. Nwanguma emphasised that improving working conditions is not merely a labour issue but is central to humanising the police and combating extortion.
Furthermore, the group issued a direct challenge to Disu regarding unresolved allegations of organ harvesting by operatives in Awkuzu, Anambra State, calling for the immediate publication of the investigation report to signal that impunity will no longer be tolerated.
As the 2027 general elections approach, RULAAC also stressed the necessity for the police to maintain strict professional neutrality and avoid being used as a political tool. The advocacy centre concluded by pledging its support for genuine reform efforts while reminding the new IGP that his reputation is now on the line.
Nwanguma noted that while there are good officers within the force who strive to rise above systemic constraints, the question remains whether Disu can scale his past values to the highest level of command. “History beckons,” the statement concluded, “the difference must now be made.”
