ABUJA: President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as the Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun.
The appointment, which takes immediate effect, was announced on Tuesday in a statement issued by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga.
According to the statement, the decision was taken in view of the prevailing security challenges facing the country and in line with existing legal provisions guiding appointments within the Nigeria Police Force.
The presidency further disclosed that President Tinubu will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police before forwarding his name to the Senate for confirmation.
Tunji Disu is a seasoned police officer with over three decades of experience in law enforcement, intelligence operations, and crime management.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu enlisted into the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. Throughout his career, he has served in several strategic operational and administrative positions across the country.
Prior to his latest appointment, he was the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos — one of the most critical investigative units of the police.
He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and later as Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja, where he coordinated policing activities within the nation’s capital.
Disu also headed the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a tactical unit of the police previously led by former deputy commissioner Abba Kyari, handling high-profile criminal investigations nationwide.
Over the years, Disu has worked as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in several commands including Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Ikare and Owo in Ondo State, as well as Elimbu and Elelenwo in Rivers State.
He commanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operations and anti-kidnapping units in multiple states, including Ondo, Oyo and Rivers, where he gained recognition for tackling violent crimes and organized criminal networks.
Between June 2015 and August 2021, Disu served as Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS). During his tenure, he introduced the policing initiative popularly known as The Good Guys, aimed at improving professionalism and strengthening police-civil relations.
In 2005, Disu led Nigeria’s first police contingent to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan as contingent commander. While serving in Darfur, he was appointed Acting Chief of Staff before returning to Nigeria in 2006.
He is also a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, reflecting his global exposure in modern policing standards.
His appointment officially brings to an end the tenure of Egbetokun, who assumed office as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police in June 2023 amid debates surrounding the duration of his stay in office.
Security analysts believe Disu’s intelligence background and operational experience may play a significant role in addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenge
