The acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that the era of impunity within the Nigeria Police Force is over, pledging zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses.
Disu made the statement on Wednesday shortly after being decorated with his new rank by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the State House, Abuja.
Addressing State House correspondents, the new police chief emphasized that citizens, not politicians are the ultimate authority the police must serve.
âI will let them know that the era of impunity is over. 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,â Disu stated.
He stressed that citizen cooperation is essential for effective policing.
âThe citizen of the country is the boss. No police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,â he said.
Disu described the appointment as emotional, revealing that President Tinubuâs detailed recount of his career achievements during the ceremony nearly moved him to tears. According to him, the Presidentâs remarks signaled both recognition and a challenge to deliver peace and stability nationwide.
The acting IGP pledged to prioritize officersâ welfare, noting that motivation is key to improved performance. He also expressed confidence in the capacity of officers nationwide to confront banditry and insurgency if properly guided and motivated.
The immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the ceremony, voiced strong confidence in Disuâs leadership. He highlighted their shared professional history and described Disu as a capable officer who would build on ongoing reforms, including intelligence-led operations and inter-agency collaboration.
Egbetokun had submitted his resignation letter a day earlier, officially citing family reasons, though sources indicate he was asked to step down during a meeting at the Presidential Villa.
According to presidential aide Bayo Onanuga, the President will soon convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disuâs appointment as substantive IGP, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation, in line with the Police Act 2020.
Disuâs appointment coming just weeks before his scheduled retirement may trigger the retirement of several senior officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General and Assistant Inspectors-General who are senior to him, in keeping with established police tradition.
Born on April 13, 1966, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 and rose to prominence as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos, where he earned national recognition for operational reforms. He has also served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.
He is expected to formally assume office at Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, with a ceremonial handover and parade of senior officers.