President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated former Assistant Inspector General (AIG) Tunji Disu with the insignia of his new rank as acting Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja.
The ceremony took place around 4 p.m. in the President’s office and 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.
President Tinubu pinned the new rank on IGP Disu’s uniform and commended Mr. Egbetokun for his service.
Disu’s appointment followed Egbetokun’s resignation letter submitted to the President on Tuesday, citing family matters.
However, Presidency sources said Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President on Monday evening at the Presidential Villa.
Disu will serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council.
In a statement by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, the President said he would convene the Nigeria Police Council in line with the Police Act 2020 to consider Disu’s appointment.
His name will thereafter be sent to the Senate for confirmation.
Disu’s elevation comes 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he will attain 60 years.
Under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General of Police may serve a four-year term irrespective of age if confirmed substantively.
His appointment is expected to lead to retirements among senior officers, as police practice requires senior officers to step aside when a junior officer becomes IGP.
Those who may be affected include 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 resign.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Tunji Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.
He is a graduate of Lagos State University and holds master’s degrees in Public Administration and in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology. He has attended training programmes in Botswana, the United Kingdom and Nigeria.
He served as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory and Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team, replacing Abba Kyari.
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 won 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.
He is expected to assume office at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, where a handover ceremony and parade of senior officers are scheduled to take place.
