President Bola Tinubu has named 59-year-old Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu as Acting Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force with immediate effect, following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun.
The appointment, announced Tuesday evening by presidential spokesman Bayo Onanuga, comes amid heightened national security concerns and is expected to be formalised as a substantive role after review by the Nigeria Police Council and Senate confirmation.
Disu, a Lagos native who joined the force on May 18, 1992, brings more than three decades of operational, intelligence and leadership experience. He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University and two master’s degrees in Public Administration and in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology.
His career highlights include commanding the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, heading the Intelligence Response Team, serving as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, and most recently overseeing the Force Criminal Investigation Department annex in Lagos.
The new acting chief has completed specialised training in small arms smuggling, internet fraud investigations, strategic leadership and forensic science, both in Nigeria and abroad. He is a recipient of the Police Commissioner of the Year award and a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
Onanuga cited ongoing security challenges as a key factor in the decision: “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.”
The presidency added that the Police Council will convene shortly to consider Disu’s confirmation as substantive Inspector-General, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate.
