Acting IGP Tunji Disu Unveils Six-Point Agenda for Nigeria Police Reform
Nigeria's newly appointed acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has formally presented a detailed six-point agenda that will define his leadership of the Nigeria Police Force. In a significant announcement made through Police Public Relations Officer Benjamin Hundeyin, Disu emphasized that his administration will be built upon the foundational pillars of professionalism, accountability, integrity, modernism, community partnership, and trust.
Core Principles of the New Administration
The acting IGP, who assumes the role as Nigeria's 23rd police chief pending constitutional confirmation, explained that these six values will serve as the guiding framework for all police operations and initiatives under his command. Professionalism and accountability stand at the forefront of his vision, with Disu committing to elevate standards of conduct and performance across the force.
Community partnership and trust represent crucial elements of Disu's policing philosophy, signaling a deliberate shift toward more collaborative relationships between law enforcement and the communities they serve. The agenda also prioritizes modernism, indicating plans to incorporate contemporary technologies and methodologies into police work, alongside an unwavering commitment to integrity in all operations.
Background and Career Path of Acting IGP Disu
Tunji Disu brings extensive experience to his new position, having joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police after training at the Police Academy in Wudil, Kano State. Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts in English Education from Lagos State University, complemented by two Master's degrees in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University and Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University.
His distinguished career includes numerous professional training programs both domestically and internationally, covering specialized areas such as small arms smuggling, internet fraud investigation, strategic leadership, and forensic analysis. Before his appointment as acting IGP, Disu served in several critical leadership positions, including Commissioner of Police for Rivers State Police Command and later for the Federal Capital Territory Police Command in 2024.
Previous Leadership Roles and Transition
Disu previously commanded the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT) following his appointment on August 2, 2021, after the suspension of Abba Kyari. He also led the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos State and served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Crime Investigation Department (FCID) Annexe in Alagbon, Lagos. Most recently, he acted as Principal Staff Officer to outgoing IGP Kayode Egbetokun before his deployment to Rivers State in 2023.
The transition to Disu's leadership follows the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun, who had been confirmed as substantive IGP by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023. Egbetokun's extended tenure was made possible by amendments to police law that allowed him to serve a full four-year term unless removed by the president. According to reports, Egbetokun cited pressing family considerations as the reason for stepping down from his position.
Formal Installation and Future Outlook
Acting IGP Disu arrived at the Presidential Villa in Abuja accompanied by two police officers, where he was expected to be formally decorated following Egbetokun's resignation. President Bola Ahmed Tinubu accepted the resignation after receiving the formal letter, paving the way for Disu's assumption of leadership responsibilities.
As Disu begins his tenure, the six-point agenda represents a comprehensive roadmap for transforming the Nigeria Police Force. The emphasis on modernization and community engagement suggests a forward-looking approach to policing that balances technological advancement with human-centered strategies. With his extensive background in intelligence, investigation, and command roles, Disu appears positioned to implement these reforms effectively, though his permanent confirmation remains subject to constitutional processes.
