President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday decorated Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, at the State House in Abuja, following the resig
President Bola Tinubu on Tuesday decorated Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police, IGP, at the State House in Abuja, following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun.
The ceremony, held at the President’s office, was attended by key officials including national security adviser Nuhu Ribadu, chief of staff Femi Gbajabiamila, secretary to the government of the federation George Akume, and the outgoing IGP.
Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, when he would attain the mandatory retirement age of 60.
However, under the amended Police Act, which grants Inspectors-General a four-year tenure irrespective of age, he may remain in office until 2030 if confirmed.
Egbetokun resigned on Tuesday, February 24, officially citing family matters requiring his attention.
In a statement by the President’s special adviser on information and strategy, Bayo Onanuga, Tinubu accepted the resignation and thanked him for his service.
Nonetheless, presidency sources indicated that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a private meeting with the President a day earlier.
Disu will serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria police council and subsequent senate approval, in line with constitutional provisions.
The President is expected to convene the council shortly to formalize the appointment.
His elevation is likely to trigger the retirement of several senior officers.
At least nine Deputy Inspectors-General and up to 20 senior officers may exit the force, following the tradition that officers senior to a newly appointed IGP step down.
Among those potentially affected are DIG Adebola Hamzat, DIG Mohammed Gumel, DIG Adebowale Williams, and DIG Frank Mba.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 and has served in various operational and leadership roles.
He holds degrees in English education, public administration, and criminology, security, and legal psychology, and has attended several local and international training programmes.
Disu gained national recognition as commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he rebranded the unit and earned regional awards for anti-crime efforts.
He later headed the Intelligence Response Team and served as commissioner of police in Rivers State and the federal capital territory, Abuja.
Before his elevation, he was Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department, FCID, Annex in Lagos.
Beyond policing, Disu is an accomplished judoka and has won medals in national and international competitions.
