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Tag: Tunji Disu

  • IGP Sets Up Committee to Develop Framework for State Police

    IGP Sets Up Committee to Develop Framework for State Police

    The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has inaugurated a seven-member steering committee to design a framework for the proposed establishment of state police in Nigeria.

    The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, was formally launched on Wednesday. It has been tasked with drafting an operational structure that could guide how state police institutions would function and coordinate with national security agencies.

    Speaking at the inauguration, Disu said the committee’s work would be crucial to strengthening Nigeria’s security architecture. He urged members to provide clear recommendations on recruitment, training standards, resource allocation and oversight mechanisms for state policing.

    “The task before this committee is both significant and timely as it speaks to our collective demand to strengthen Nigeria’s security,” the IGP said.

    He added that the group must ensure any proposed system enhances national security rather than weakening coordination among law enforcement agencies.

    According to the police chief, the committee will study policing models within Nigeria and abroad, assess community security needs and propose a structure that allows state authorities to respond quickly to local threats.

    Disu said decentralising policing could help states tackle security challenges more effectively by bringing law enforcement closer to communities.

    “If thoughtfully designed and effectively implemented, state policing holds significant potential benefits for our country,” he said. “It can deepen local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker responses to emerging threats.”

    Other members of the committee include Bode Ojajuni, who will serve as secretary, alongside Okebechi Agora, Suleyman Gulma, Ikechukwu Okafor, Tolulope Ipinmisho and Emmanuel Ojukwu.

    The move comes as the federal government pushes for reforms to allow states to establish their own police forces.

    President Bola Tinubu has repeatedly pledged to introduce state police as part of broader efforts to address rising insecurity across the country.

    He recently asked the National Assembly to amend the 1999 Constitution to provide a legal framework for the reform. Lawmakers have already begun the process of constitutional amendment to accommodate the creation of state police forces.

  • Tinubu Halts Mass Police Retirements After IGP Change

    Tinubu Halts Mass Police Retirements After IGP Change

    President Bola Tinubu has stopped the planned retirement of about 30 senior police officers after the leadership change at the Nigeria Police Force, a move that has revived debate over compulsory exits for top officials.

    The intervention followed the removal of former Inspector-General Kayode Egbetokun and the appointment of acting IGP Tunji Disu. Sources said the presidency halted the shake-up to allow the new chief retain experienced officers.

    An internal list had named several Deputy Inspectors General and Assistant Inspectors General marked for retirement to maintain command structure. Among those reportedly affected were Yahaya Abubakar, Adebola Hamzat, Adebowale Williams and Frank Mba.

    A presidency source said the decision aimed to ensure stability within the force during the transition. The source added that the acting IGP needs senior officers with institutional knowledge to manage operations.

    Disu’s appointment has drawn attention because it came less than two months before his mandatory retirement at age 60. Born 13 April 1966, he is due to retire in April 2026. He was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General in March 2025.

    Under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General may serve a four-year term regardless of age. That rule allowed Egbetokun to remain in office despite reaching retirement age. However, officials say current discussions suggest Disu may still leave when he turns 60.

    The Police Service Commission had prepared a retirement list before it received instructions to suspend the process. The halt has raised expectations among senior officers who feared they would be forced out.

    Changes in police leadership often trigger waves of retirements as new chiefs reshape command teams. The latest decision has now intensified national debate over whether the practice strengthens discipline or weakens continuity within the force.

  • Tinubu Tasks New Police Chief to Tackle Crime Wave

    Tinubu Tasks New Police Chief to Tackle Crime Wave

    President Bola Tinubu has ordered newly appointed acting Inspector-General Tunji Disu to strengthen security and restore public trust as Nigeria faces rising violence.

    At a decoration ceremony in Abuja on Wednesday, the president said Disu takes charge of the Nigeria Police Force at a critical time marked by banditry, terrorism and organised crime. He urged him to improve discipline, boost cooperation among security agencies and ensure officers protect lives and property.

    Tinubu said he trusted Disu’s record from his years of service, especially during postings in Lagos. He added that the new police chief must lead firmly, demand professionalism and rebuild confidence in policing nationwide. The president also promised full backing for reforms.

    Disu, who replaces Kayode Egbetokun, pledged zero tolerance for corruption and misconduct. He said officers would face discipline if they abuse their powers and stressed that citizens remain the “boss” of the police.

    He outlined three priorities: modernising operations, enforcing accountability and deepening community partnerships. He said the force would rely more on intelligence-led policing, digital tools and forensic methods while improving training and welfare.

    The new chief admitted the force faces a trust gap, outdated systems and resource limits but said these problems must be tackled directly. He called on Nigerians to cooperate with officers by reporting crime and holding the institution accountable.

    Disu formally assumed duty hours after the ceremony and took his first salute at Force Headquarters. His appointment comes shortly before his scheduled retirement age, though current law allows an Inspector-General to serve a full four-year term once confirmed.

    Officials said the Police Council will meet soon to consider his nomination for substantive appointment before it goes to the Senate for approval.

  • Egbetokun Urges New IGP Disu to Sustain Police Reforms

    Egbetokun Urges New IGP Disu to Sustain Police Reforms

    Outgoing police chief Kayode Egbetokun has urged the new Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to sustain ongoing reforms and strengthen the security structure introduced under his tenure.

    He spoke in Abuja as Disu formally assumed office, describing his successor as a seasoned officer who understands the system and its current direction.

    Egbetokun said Disu worked closely with him in key roles, including Directing Staff Officer, Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and later as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Special Protection Unit.

    He recalled that Disu led the enforcement of President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive to withdraw police personnel from VIP protection. According to him, the order was carried out effectively and in full.

    “My advice is that he should remain committed to the reforms we started together,” Egbetokun said. He cited the restructuring of intelligence coordination, the dismantling of criminal networks and a revised inter-agency deployment model as areas that require continuity.

    The former police chief expressed confidence that Disu would maintain the momentum in tackling organised crime and improving operational efficiency nationwide.

    In his response, Disu described his appointment as unexpected and emotional. He thanked the president for the trust placed in him and said the reference to his service record showed close attention to the work of officers across the country.

    He added that the appointment comes with a clear duty to deliver peace and stability. Disu pledged to build on existing reforms and ensure the force remains focused on public safety and professional standards.