NIGERIA’s newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday declared an end to impunity within the Nigeria Police Force, vowing to enforce zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses.
News Point Nigeria reports that Disu made the declaration moments after being decorated with his new rank by President Bola Tinubu at a ceremony held inside the President’s office at the State House, Abuja.
Standing before State House correspondents, the visibly emotional police chief outlined an ambitious reform blueprint anchored on accountability, citizen-centred policing, and improved officer welfare.
“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over,” Disu said firmly.
“I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights. I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption.”
In what appears to be a philosophical reset for the Force, Disu stressed that Nigerian citizens not political office holders are the ultimate authority the police must serve.
“One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country, is the boss,” he declared.
“It’s very, very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
He revealed plans to immediately address officers nationwide in a reorientation programme designed to reinforce professionalism, public trust, and respect for human rights.
The decoration ceremony, which began at 4:00pm, was attended by Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila and other senior government officials.
President Tinubu personally pinned the new insignia on Disu’s uniform and commended the outgoing IGP for his service.
Disu later admitted that he was deeply moved when the President recounted his professional journey in detail.
“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears,” he said.
According to him, Tinubu’s knowledge of his track record reflected a hands-on leadership style and signalled high expectations.
“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country… and it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for.”
Beyond discipline and anti-corruption, Disu pledged to prioritise officer welfare, noting that motivation directly impacts performance.
“I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration, because people who are motivated put in their best,” he stated.
He also expressed confidence in the Force’s capacity to tackle banditry, insurgency, and other security threats if properly coordinated and motivated.
“I know all police officers around have been doing their best. They are hardworking people. All I need to do is channel their morale and their thoughts to make anything better.”
The immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, attended the ceremony and publicly endorsed his successor.
Describing Disu as someone with whom he shares “a unique history,” Egbetokun noted that both officers benefited from Tinubu’s mentorship dating back to his tenure as Governor of Lagos State.
“I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job,” he said.
He urged Disu to sustain reforms initiated during his tenure, including intelligence-led operations, inter-agency collaboration, and dismantling criminal syndicates.
“He has been part of my administration from the beginning. He was my Principal Staff Officer… He was AIG in charge of my Special Protection Unit when Mr. President gave the order to withdraw police from VIP protection. It was Disu whom I called upon… and he did it so well.”
“I have so much confidence that he would surpass what I have done,” Egbetokun added.
The ceremony came barely 24 hours after Egbetokun submitted his resignation letter on Tuesday, citing pressing family issues.
However, Presidency sources disclosed that he was asked to step down during a private meeting with President Tinubu at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening.
“It was in that meeting he was asked to go,” a highly placed official said anonymously.
Observers had earlier noticed Egbetokun’s official vehicle, a Toyota Land Cruiser bearing the number plate NPF-01 arriving at the Villa around 6:40pm, coinciding with governors arriving for an interfaith breaking of fast with the President.
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.
However, under provisions of the amended Police Act 2020, Inspectors-General of Police are entitled to a four-year tenure irrespective of age.
According to the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, President Tinubu will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive IGP.
Following council approval, his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation.
If confirmed, Disu could remain at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force until 2030.