President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday formally decorated Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police during a ceremony at the State House in Abuja, marking a significant leadership transition in the Nigeria Police Force.
The event, which took place around 4 p.m. inside the President’s office, drew top government officials, including National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume; and the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Tinubu personally affixed the new rank insignia on Disu’s uniform and praised Egbetokun for what he described as his steadfast commitment to national service.
A Sudden Leadership Change
Disu’s emergence follows Egbetokun’s resignation, officially attributed to family matters requiring his full attention.
However, sources within the Presidency indicated that the former police chief was requested to step down during a private meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa earlier in the week.
For now, Disu will serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council.
According to presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, the Council will soon be convened in line with the Police Act 2020 to deliberate on Disu’s substantive appointment.
If endorsed and subsequently confirmed by the Senate, he could serve a full four-year term under the amended law — potentially remaining in office until 2030.
Interestingly, Disu was originally due for retirement on April 13, 2026, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60.
The revised provisions of the Police Act, however, allow an Inspector-General to complete a four-year tenure regardless of age.
Ripple Effect in the Force
Disu’s elevation is expected to trigger a wave of high-level exits within the Force.
By long-standing tradition, senior officers typically retire when a junior colleague is appointed Inspector-General.
Several Deputy Inspectors-General may be affected, including Adebola Hamzat (Logistics and Supply), Mohammed Gumel (Force Intelligence Department), Adebowale Williams (ICT), and former Force Public Relations Officer Frank Mba.
Sources at the Police Service Commission estimate that between 15 and 20 senior officers could ultimately leave the service in the coming weeks.
A Career Spanning Three Decades
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. Over more than 30 years, he has built a reputation for operational efficiency and reform-driven leadership.
A graduate of Lagos State University, he holds master’s degrees in Public Administration as well as Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology. He has undergone specialised training in Botswana, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.
Disu gained national recognition as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he rebranded the unit as “The Good Guys.” Under his leadership, the squad earned the 2016 Best Anti-Crime Unit award in West Africa.
In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team, succeeding suspended officer Abba Kyari. He has since served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and most recently as Assistant Inspector-General overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
Beyond the Badge
Outside policing, Disu is an accomplished judoka and holds a third-dan black belt. He secured a silver medal at the 33rd U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022 and has won multiple medals at both the National Sports Festival and the Nigerian Police Games.
He is also affiliated with the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.
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Disu is scheduled to formally assume duties at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, where a ceremonial handover and parade of senior officers will mark the beginning of a new chapter for the Nigeria Police Force.