Acting IG Disu declares zero tolerance for corruption, end to impunity

The decorated acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force is over, vowing to enforce a regime of zero tolerance to corruption and human rights abuses.

Disu made the declaration on Wednesday shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated him with his new rank at the State House, Abuja.

Speaking to State House correspondents after the ceremony, the new police chief outlined his priorities, emphasising that Nigerian citizens, not politicians, are the ultimate bosses of the police.

“I will let them (fellow policemen and women) know that the era of impunity is over.

“I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights.

“I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption,” Disu stated.

He added, “Most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”

The new IGP said one of his first actions would be to address officers across the country to reorient them on citizen-centred policing.

“One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country, is the boss.

“It’s very, very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” he declared.

Disu revealed that the appointment came as an emotional surprise, particularly when President Tinubu detailed his career achievements during the decoration ceremony.

“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears,” he said.

The new IGP said Tinubu’s detailed knowledge of his career demonstrated the President’s hands-on approach to monitoring officers across the country.

“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and then it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for, and ensure that I bring peace, recognition and calm to the country,” Disu stated.

On officer welfare, he pledged to prioritise motivation as a key to improved performance.

“I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration, because people who are motivated put in their best,” he said.

Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, including banditry and insurgency, Disu expressed confidence in police officers nationwide.

“I know all police officers around have been doing their best. They are hardworking people.

“All I need to do is channel their morale and their thoughts to make anything better,” he stated.

For his part, the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the decoration ceremony, expressed confidence in his successor’s ability to lead the Force.

Egbetokun described Disu as someone with whom he shares “a unique history,” noting that both men benefited from President Tinubu’s mentorship dating back to his tenure as Lagos State Governor.

“I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job,” Egbetokun stated.

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He urged Disu to continue the reforms initiated during his tenure, including intelligence-led operations, inter-agency coordination, and dismantling criminal syndicates.

“He has been part of my administration from the beginning. He was my Principal Staff Officer, and he was the Commissioner of Police in Rivers and FCT.

“He was AIG in charge of my Special Protection Unit when Mr. President gave the order to withdraw police from VIP protection.

“It was Disu whom I called upon to ensure that the presidential order was given full compliance, and he did it so well,” Egbetokun said.

The outgoing IGP added, “I have so much confidence that he would surpass what I have done.”

The decoration ceremony, which took place at 4:00 pm at the President’s office, had in attendance Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.

President Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform and commended Egbetokun for his service to the nation.

The ceremony came barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing family issues that require his undivided attention.

However, multiple Presidency sources told our correspondent 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 highly placed official stated on condition of anonymity.

It was observed Egbetokun’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser with number plate NPF-01, parking at the forecourt of the Presidential Villa around 6:40 pm on Monday, the same time governors were arriving for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President.

Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have reached 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 regardless of age, Disu may remain in office until 2030.

According to the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, “In compliance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu will convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council shortly to formally consider the appointment of AIG Disu as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.”

Disu’s appointment will see the retirement of at least nine Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, in line with the tradition that senior officers vacate their positions when a junior colleague is appointed IGP.

Eight DIGs currently serving at Force Headquarters, including DIG Adebola Hamzat (Logistics and Supply), DIG Mohammed Gumel (Force Intelligence Department), DIG Adebowale Williams (ICT), and former Force spokesman DIG Frank Mba, may be affected by the new appointment.

A source within the Police Service Commission said the new development could lead to the exit of between 15 and 20 senior officers who are Disu’s seniors.

“Going by recent practice, Disu’s seniors might have to submit their resignation letters. Apart from the nine DIGs, the AIGs senior to him are few. Between 15 and 20 may resign,” a source told our correspondent.

The new IGP is expected to formally assume office at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on Wednesday in a ceremony that will include a formal handover and parade of senior officers.

Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has served for over three decades across multiple operational and leadership roles.

He rose to national prominence as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State, where he served for six years and rebranded RRS officers as “The Good Guys.”

Under his leadership, the unit won the Best Anti-Crime Squad award in West Africa in 2016.

On August 2, 2021, he was appointed to head the Intelligence Response Team, replacing the suspended Abba Kyari.

Disu has served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

Before his elevation to IGP, he was Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

Egbetokun, who was appointed IGP on June 19, 2023, and confirmed on October 31, 2023, served for approximately two years and eight months.

His tenure was marked by controversies over the handling of protests, allegations of partisanship during elections, and criticism over the nation’s deteriorating security situation.