President Bola Tinubu, has sworn in Olatunji Disu as acting Inspector General of Police (IGP), challenging him to rebuild public trust in a force dogged by accusations of brutality and corruption.
Disu, recently promoted to Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), on Wednesday described the appointment as an “unexpected honour” during an interview with State House Correspondents moments after his decoration at the presidential villa in Abuja.
He pledged an immediate end to impunity, vowing to drill human rights compliance into officers and enforce zero tolerance for misconduct.
“My top priority—one of the first lectures I am going to have with my men—is to talk to them, let them know that the citizens of the country are the boss,” Disu said.
“The era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to ensure they follow human rights… we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
President Tinubu praised Disu’s track record across postings, from Rivers state and the federal capital territory to leading the elite Special Protection Unit, emotionally urging him to deliver peace amid rampant banditry and insurgency.
“It shows the president was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for,” Disu noted.
The swearing-in brings to the fore efforts to professionalise the Nigeria police service long criticised for graft and abuses, with Disu—previously principal staff officer to outgoing IGP Kayode Egbetokun—promising welfare improvements to boost morale and performance.
The replaced IGP Egbetokun, who credited Tinubu for his rise from chief security officer in Lagos to IGP, expressed satisfaction in handing over to a mentee.
“A good leader should have a successor… I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian police force, and I am happy that one of those has been found most suitable,” Egbetokun said.
Disu’s tenure awaits the Senate and Police Council confirmation, as the country struggles to end insecurity.
