….Five key facts about Nigeria’s new IGP
…The DIGs who may be affected by Disu’s appointment
President Bola Tinubu has appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police.
This followed the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun as the IGP.
“In view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect,” presidential spokesman, Bayo Onanuga, said in a statement on Tuesday evening.
“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,” he said.
Until his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was promoted to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police last year.
Before then, he served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and was later deployed by Egbetokun to Abuja as Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory.
Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and a former head of the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, a position previously held by Abba Kyari.
Tunji Disu was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island and enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992. Over the course of his career, he has served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in several locations, including Ago Iwoye in Ogun State, Ikare and Owo in Ondo State, as well as Elimbu and Elelenwo in Rivers State.
He also served as Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and anti-kidnapping operations in Rivers State. He previously commanded SARS in Ondo State, Oyo State, and Rivers State, and later served as second in command (2IC) of the State Criminal Investigations Department (CID) in Rivers State.
In 2005, he led the first Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan as contingent commander on a peacekeeping assignment. While stationed in Darfur, he was appointed acting Chief of Staff before returning to Nigeria in 2006.
He served as commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad from June 13, 2015, to August 2021. During his tenure, he branded his officers as “The Good Guys,” an initiative aimed at reforming policing practices by encouraging officers to enforce the law professionally while maintaining respectful engagement with citizens.
His appointment brings to an end Egbetokun’s tenure, which began in 2023.
President Tinubu appointed Egbetokun as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police on June 19, 2023, and the Nigeria Police Council confirmed his substantive appointment on October 31 of the same year.
The latter part of his tenure was marked by controversy, particularly over his extended stay in office, which drew public criticism.
Under Section 18(8) of the Police Act 2020, Egbetokun, who was born on September 4, 1964, was expected to retire in September 2024 upon attaining the age of 60.
But his tenure extended beyond the mandatory retirement limits of 60 years of age or 35 years of service, prompting sustained criticism from civil society groups, among others. Critics argued that the extension breached established police service regulations and weakened institutional discipline.
However, the police maintained at the time that the development did not amount to an extension but was a confirmation that he would complete the four-year tenure stated in his original letter of appointment.
In July 2024, the National Assembly passed the Police Act (Amendment) Bill to allow a person appointed as Inspector-General of Police to remain in office until the end of the term stipulated in the letter of appointment.
President Tinubu had forwarded the bill to the House of Representatives and the Senate to amend the tenure of the IGP. Lawmakers in both chambers passed the bill at separate sittings.
Meet Tunji Disu: Five key facts about Nigeria’s new IGP
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex, Lagos, Tunji Disu, has been appointed as Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, subject to confirmation by the Nigerian Senate.
Before his elevation, Disu served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State, and was later deployed to Abuja by the former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun.
Over the course of his career, he has held several sensitive and strategic roles within the Nigeria Police Force, including leadership positions in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), anti-kidnapping units and state criminal investigation departments.
Below are five notable facts about the new police chief:
1. A people-centred approach during the EndSARS protests
During the 2020 EndSARS protests, Disu, then Commander of the Lagos State Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS), distinguished himself with a people-focused policing strategy.
Under his leadership, RRS ambulances were deployed to provide medical assistance to injured protesters. His engagement style helped rebuild trust between law enforcement and civilians, with residents willingly sharing intelligence, confident of confidentiality.
Security experts later cited the RRS under Disu as a benchmark for professional, community-oriented policing.
2. Central role in the arrest of kidnap kingpin Evans
Disu was a key figure in the operation that led to the arrest of notorious kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.
The suspect was apprehended at his Magodo residence in Lagos, marking one of the most significant breakthroughs in Nigeria’s fight against organised kidnapping and violent crime.
3. Cross-border recovery of stolen iPhones
In another high-profile operation, Disu led investigations following the burglary of a major iPhone store in South Africa.
Intelligence reports traced the stolen devices to Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos. His swift and coordinated response led to their recovery and return, drawing commendation from South African authorities.
The operation contributed to Lagos State’s recognition in 2016 by Security Watch Africa as one of Africa’s safest states, while the RRS emerged as the best anti-crime police unit in West Africa.
4. Decisive crackdown on violent cultism in Rivers State
As Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Disu led decisive operations against violent cult groups destabilising communities.
Under his command, security operatives neutralised notorious cult leader Gift Okpara, also known as “2Baba,” the prime suspect in the killing of Divisional Police Officer Bako Angbashim in Ahoada East Local Government Area in 2023.
The operation involved coordinated land and aerial surveillance and helped restore a measure of stability to the area.
5. Champion judoka and decorated officer
Beyond policing, Disu is an accomplished judoka with decades of competitive experience.
At the U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022, he won a silver medal, competing against more than 500 international athletes.
He began practising judo in 1986 and has won multiple medals, including two gold medals at the National Sports Festival, as well as honours at the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces Games. In 2021, he also clinched gold at the Nigerian Police Veterans Championship.
The DIGs who may be affected by Disu’s appointment
Meanwhile, In line with the tradition of the police when seniors vacate their roles when a subordinate is appointed IGP, Salient Times reports that Disu’s emergence, though in acting capacity, could affect eight Deputy Inspector General of Police.
Below are the senior officers who may leave the force as a result of the new development.
ADEBOLA HAMZAT
DIG Hamzat currently serves as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Logistics and Supply (DLS) of Nigeria Police Force. He was appointed and decorated as a Deputy Inspector-General of Police in March 2025.
As the head of the Department of Logistics and Supply (DLS), he oversees the technical, administrative, and logistical needs of the entire Nigeria Police Force, including procurement, works, housing, and the Force Quarter-Master.
Previous Roles: Before his elevation to DIG, he served as the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 16, Yenagoa (covering Bayelsa and Rivers States). He was also the Commissioner of Police for Oyo State and the former AIG in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit. He is an indigene of Ifelodun L.G.A of Kwara State.
YAHAYA ABUBAKAR
He is a senior Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) who most recently served as the Head of the Department of Finance and Administration at Police Force Headquarters, Abuja. He was appointed to lead the Department of Finance and Administration (DFA), which oversees the financial management, budgeting, human resources, and administrative processes of the Force.
DIG Abubakar was appointed to the position following his promotion by the Police Service Commission (PSC) in 2024, having previously served in senior roles such as Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) and Zone Commander.
BZIGU KWAZHI
He is a senior officer in the Nigeria Police Force currently serving as the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Department of Operations. He is responsible for leading, coordinating, and implementing operational activities, crime prevention strategies, and maintaining law and order across Nigeria. As the head of the Department of Operations (DOPs), he manages tactical operations, joint security operations (with the military), and, policies for controlling incidents like riots, disasters, and elections.
In 2025, he has been actively involved in high-level security assessments, including leading operations to restore peace in Plateau State and Adamawa State. He is a seasoned officer with extensive field experience, having previously served as the Commissioner of Police in both Osun and Akwa Ibom states.
ADEBOWALE WILLIAMS
Williams is a senior Nigerian police officer serving at the rank of Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in the Nigeria Police Force (NPF). He held/has held a key leadership role as the Head of the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He was appointed to lead the Department of Information and Communication Technology (ICT) within the NPF. This department is responsible for managing and advancing the Force’s technological infrastructure, systems, and digital tools to support modern policing.
IDRIS ABUBAKAR
Abubakar was appointed into the Nigeria Police Force as cadet ASP on 18/5/1992. He hails from Garko LGA of Kano State. He holds B.Sc Edu from Utman Danfodiyo University , Sokoto, Msc.Edu. in Psychology and PhD in Psychology from University of Abuja.
FRANK MBA
Mba began his policing career as an Inspector and steadily rose through the ranks. In 1999, he was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), followed by Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) in 2003. He was promoted to Superintendent of Police (SP) in 2008, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) in 2012, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) in 2014, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in 2018, and Commissioner of Police (CP) in December 2020. In March 2023, he was decorated as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).
Mba is a three-time National Spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force and has received the UN Medal for his service as a member of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the United Nations Mission in Liberia from 2006 to 2007.
BASIL IDEGWU
Idegwu was appointed to lead the Department of Research and Planning (R&P) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja as of March 2025. He is responsible for strategic planning,, policy formulation, and enhancing the Force’s operational efficiency.
He holds a Doctorate degree (Ph.D.) in Peace and Security Studies. Idegwu heads a key department focused on ensuring standards, uniformity, and modernization in policing services.
Key Responsibilities: He leads initiatives on community policing, engages with stakeholders to strengthen trust, and represents the IGP at various security engagements. He served in various operational and administrative capacities.
MOHAMMED GUMEL
He assumed duty as the 4th Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the Force Intelligence Department (FID) at the Force Headquarters in Abuja in late December 2025/early January 2026. He is a seasoned officer, known for community policing.
The Force Intelligence Department (FID) is the apex intelligence-gathering arm of the Nigeria Police Force. He formerly served as a Commissioner of Police (CP) and notably recognized as the best Community Policing Advocate of the Year (2024). He holds the FIPMA (Fellow, Institute of Professional Managers and Administrators) and psc (Police Staff College) designations.
