Tunji Disu Emerges Acting IGP as Tinubu Accepts Egbetokun’s Resignation

Tunji Disu Emerges Acting IGP as Tinubu Accepts Egbetokun’s Resignation

By Temidayo Babalola 

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun, marking a new leadership transition in the Nigeria Police Force, TMnews can report.

The appointment, announced on Tuesday in a State House press release signed by the President’s Special Adviser on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, takes immediate effect.

Egbetokun resigned from office after submitting a letter to the President citing pressing family considerations. President Tinubu expressed appreciation for his decades of meritorious service and commended his professionalism, dedication, and efforts in strengthening Nigeria’s internal security framework.

Egbetokun, who was appointed in June 2023, was serving a statutory four-year tenure scheduled to end in June 2027 in accordance with the amended Police Act.

President Tinubu said Disu’s appointment in acting capacity was informed by his extensive operational experience, leadership credentials, and proven track record in law enforcement. He added that the appointment comes at a critical time when the country requires steady and focused leadership to tackle evolving security challenges.

In line with the provisions of the Police Act 2020, the President is expected to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General of Police, after which his name will be forwarded to the Senate for confirmation.

The President reaffirmed his administration’s commitment to strengthening national security and ensuring that the Police Force remains professional, accountable, and capable of protecting lives and property.

Disu’s emergence continues a historical pattern of regional balancing in the appointment of Inspectors-General of Police since Nigeria’s return to democratic rule in 1999.

During the presidency of Olusegun Obasanjo (1999–2007), all three IGPs appointed were from the South-West. They included Musiliu Smith (1999–2002), Mustafa Balogun (2002–2005) and Sunday Ehindero (2005–2007).

Under Umaru Musa Yar’Adua (2007–2010), the position shifted to the South-East, with Mike Okiro (2007–2009) and Ogbonna Onovo (2009–2010) serving as IGPs.

During the administration of Goodluck Jonathan (2010–2015), all three IGPs appointed were from the North-West. They included Hafiz Ringim (2010–2012), Mohammed Dikko Abubakar (2012–2014), and Suleiman Abba (2014–2015).

Under President Muhammadu Buhari (2015–2023), appointments reflected broader regional spread, with Solomon Arase from the South-South, Ibrahim Kpotun Idris and Mohammed Adamu from the North-Central, and Usman Alkali Baba from the North-East serving as IGPs.

With the appointment of Egbetokun in 2023 and now Disu in acting capacity, President Tinubu’s administration has returned the leadership of the Police Force to the South-West region.

Disu’s appointment signals continuity in Tinubu’s security reforms and places on him the responsibility of leading the Nigeria Police Force through a critical phase in the nation’s security landscape.