Tinubu Decorates Tunji Disu As IGP

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has formally pinned the rank of Acting Inspector-General of Police on Tunji Disu at the State House in Abuja this Wednesday.

The ceremony, held at about 4 p.m. in the President’s office, was attended by the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; and the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.

Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform and commended Egbetokun for what he described as dedicated service to the nation.

Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60 years.

However, under the amended Police Act, which allows Inspectors-General of Police to serve a four-year tenure irrespective of age, Disu could remain in office until 2030 if confirmed substantively.

The development followed Egbetokun’s resignation letter submitted to the President on Tuesday, citing family matters requiring his “undivided attention.”

But multiple Presidency sources disclosed that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President on Monday evening at the Presidential Villa.

“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a senior official told The PUNCH on condition of anonymity.

Disu remains in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council.

According to a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo 

Onanuga, the President will convene the Nigeria Police Council in compliance with the Police Act 2020 to consider Disu’s appointment as substantive IGP, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.

Disu’s elevation is expected to trigger a wave of retirements among senior officers in line with established police tradition, which requires senior officers to step aside when a junior colleague becomes IGP.

At least nine Deputy Inspectors-General of Police may be affected, including DIG Adebola Hamzat (Logistics and Supply), DIG Mohammed Gumel (Force Intelligence Department), DIG Adebowale Williams (ICT), and former Force spokesman DIG Frank Mba.

A source at the Police Service Commission said between 15 and 20 senior officers could eventually exit.

“Going by recent practice, Disu’s seniors might have to submit their resignation letters. Between 15 and 20 may resign,” the source stated.

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has served for over three decades.

A graduate of Lagos State University, he holds master’s degrees in Public Administration and Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology. He has attended specialised training in Botswana, the United Kingdom, and Nigeria.

Disu rose to prominence as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he rebranded officers as “The Good Guys.” Under his leadership, the unit won Best Anti-Crime Squad in West Africa in 2016.

In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team, replacing suspended officer Abba Kyari.

He has also served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and most recently as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

Outside his professional duties, Disu is a third-dan black belt judoka. He won a silver medal at the 33rd U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022 and has clinched multiple medals at the National Sports Festival and Nigerian Police Games.

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations.

Disu is expected to formally assume office at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, on Wednesday, where a formal handover ceremony and parade of senior officers are scheduled to take place.