Police Council Clears Disu as Substantive IGP, Tinubu to Swear Him In Wednesday

Segun Atanda/

The Nigeria Police Council today unanimously endorsed the appointment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the substantive Inspector-General of Police, clearing the final constitutional hurdle ahead of his swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday.

The formal inauguration will take place during the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting at the State House, Abuja.

The Council meeting, presided over by President Tinubu, was attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, Hashimu Argungu, in line with constitutional provisions governing the appointment of a police chief.

Also present were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Police Affairs, Ibrahim Gaidam; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack.

Disu’s confirmation follows the resignation of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, bringing to a close his tenure at the helm of the Nigeria Police Force.

Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State spoke glowingly of Disu’s record, particularly his time as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos between 2015 and 2021. According to the governor, Disu’s leadership during that period earned the RRS accolades for operational efficiency and crime control.

Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State also commended President Tinubu for what he described as a merit-based appointment, citing Disu’s “excellent career record.”

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Nyesom Wike, who worked closely with Disu during his time in Rivers State and later in the FCT, praised the new police chief’s professionalism and crime-fighting credentials.

Disu had served in Rivers State as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit between 2014 and 2015. He later became Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command, where he was credited with strategic interventions that strengthened security architecture in Abuja.

Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seconded the motion endorsing Disu’s appointment at the Council meeting.

Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. Over the decades, he has risen steadily through the ranks, holding critical operational, investigative, and strategic command positions across the country.

He brings to the office a strong academic portfolio, with qualifications spanning public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security studies, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship, credentials widely viewed as reflective of his commitment to knowledge-driven and modern policing.

Until his appointment, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Lagos.

With the Council’s endorsement secured, attention now turns to Wednesday’s FEC meeting, where President Tinubu is expected to formally swear him in as Nigeria’s new Inspector-General of Police, ushering in what many political leaders and security stakeholders describe as a new phase for policing reforms and operational effectiveness in the country.