President Bola Tinubu has named Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as Nigeria’s new Acting Inspector-General of Police, following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun.
The decision, which takes immediate effect, was confirmed in an official statement released on Tuesday evening by the presidency.
According to the statement, the appointment was made in line with existing legal provisions and reflects the urgent need to reinforce national security coordination amid mounting safety concerns across the country.
The presidency also disclosed that President Tinubu will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s confirmation as the substantive Inspector-General of Police. After deliberations, his nomination will be forwarded to the Senate for screening and approval.
Before this appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Lagos, a key operational hub for high-profile criminal investigations. His promotion to the rank of AIG last year capped decades of operational and intelligence-driven policing.
Disu previously held the position of Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, where he coordinated major security operations before his redeployment to Abuja as Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory. He later headed the Intelligence Response Team, a specialised unit responsible for combating terrorism, kidnapping, and organised crime.
Over the years, Disu has built a reputation as a disciplined field commander and intelligence strategist, with extensive experience in counter-crime operations, public safety management, and inter-agency coordination.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force in May 1992. He served as Divisional Police Officer in several towns across Ogun, Ondo, and Rivers states, gaining deep grassroots policing experience.
He later led anti-robbery and anti-kidnapping units in multiple states and played key roles in strengthening criminal investigation systems. His service record also includes international peacekeeping, having led Nigeria’s first police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan, where he later functioned as acting Chief of Staff during the Darfur operation.
Between 2015 and 2021, Disu commanded the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, introducing reforms that promoted professionalism, discipline, and improved public engagement. His “Good Guys” policing campaign earned national recognition for improving police-citizen relations.
Disu’s emergence ends the controversial tenure of Kayode Egbetokun, whose extended stay in office sparked widespread public debate. Critics had questioned the legality of his continued leadership beyond statutory retirement benchmarks, despite legislative adjustments made to validate his tenure.
With Disu stepping into the role, analysts say his leadership will be closely watched as Nigeria confronts escalating security threats, rising violent crime, and growing public demand for effective policing reforms.
His appointment signals a renewed push toward intelligence-driven operations, accountability, and operational discipline within the Nigeria Police Force.
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