By Azeez Sulaiman
President Bola Tinubu has approved the removal of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun as the Inspector General of Police, appointing Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG) Olatunji Disu as his successor to lead the Nigeria Police Force.
Sources within the high-level security establishment confirmed that Mr. Egbetokun has been formally directed to hand over his duties, with Mr. Disu slated to assume command immediately.
While the Presidency is expected to issue a formal proclamation shortly, the transition marks a definitive end to the prolonged controversy surrounding Egbetokun’s tenure.
His continued stay in office beyond the statutory retirement threshold of 60 years of age or 35 years of service had sparked significant friction, drawing sharp criticism from legal observers and civil society organizations who argued for strict adherence to civil service rules.
The incoming Inspector General, Mr. Olatunji Disu, ascends to the pinnacle of the force with over three decades of tactical and administrative experience.
Until this appointment, he served as the AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. Born on April 13, 1966, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, and has since built a distinguished profile through various high-pressure assignments. His resume includes stints as the Commissioner of Police for both the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State, as well as a notable tenure as the head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
Disu is perhaps most recognized for his leadership of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) between 2015 and 2021, where he was credited with modernizing the unit through crime mapping and community-centric policing strategies.
Academically, he holds a degree in English Education from Lagos State University, complemented by postgraduate qualifications in Public Administration and Criminology. His professional pedigree is further bolstered by advanced training in forensic investigation, strategic leadership, and global intelligence operations.
This leadership change arrives at a precarious moment for national security.
As the new helmsman, Disu inherits a landscape marred by persistent banditry, kidnapping, sophisticated cybercrime, and volatile communal conflicts.
Security analysts suggest that this appointment signifies a strategic recalibration by the Tinubu administration, aimed at restoring operational discipline and strengthening internal security coordination as the nation moves toward its next electoral cycle.