President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated Tunji Disu with his new rank as Acting Inspector General of Police at the State House, Abuja, barely 24 hours after the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.
The development was confirmed in a statement issued on Tuesday by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, announcing the acceptance of Egbetokun’s resignation and the appointment of Disu in acting capacity.
The brief ceremony, held around 4pm at the President’s office, 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, Egbetokun.
Tinubu, who personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform, commended Egbetokun for his service to the nation.
Egbetokun had, in a letter addressed to the President, cited family issues requiring his “undivided attention” as reason for his decision to step down.
“The IGP resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” Onanuga stated.
However, Presidency sources disclosed that Egbetokun was asked to step down during a meeting with the President at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening.
“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a senior official said on condition of anonymity.
Disu’s appointment came just 48 days before his scheduled retirement on April 13, 2026, when he would have attained the mandatory retirement age of 60.
Under the amended Police Act, which provides a four year tenure for an Inspector General of Police irrespective of age, Disu may remain in office until 2030, subject to confirmation.
He will continue in acting capacity pending confirmation by the Nigeria Police Council and subsequent transmission of his name to the Senate, in line with constitutional provisions.
“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,” Onanuga added.
Born on April 13, 1966, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has served in several operational and leadership roles across the country.
A graduate of English Education from Lagos State University, he also holds master’s degrees in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State, and in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University.
Disu rose to national prominence as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State, where he led reforms that earned the unit recognition as one of the best anti crime squads in West Africa in 2016.
He later headed the Intelligence Response Team in 2021 and served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, before his elevation as Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
With his decoration concluded, Disu is expected to formally assume duties at the Louis Edet House, Force Headquarters, Abuja, where a handover ceremony will take place.
