The newly sworn-in Acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, says he will galvanise the morale and focus of officers of the Nigeria Police Force to confront the twin threats of banditry and insurgency confronting the country.
Disu stated this on Wednesday while speaking with State House correspondents shortly after he was decorated with his new rank as the 23rd Acting Inspector-General of Police.
The Acting Inspector-General of Police underscored the importance of public cooperation in addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, noting that effective policing cannot succeed without the support of citizens.
He stressed that close collaboration between the police and the public is critical to overcoming the threats.
He also commended officers of the Nigeria Police Force for their dedication and resilience, describing them as hardworking and committed to safeguarding lives and property despite the difficult conditions under which they operate.
“I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public. I will mention it to them, most importantly the country is facing a particular problem now, issue of banditry, insurgency. I know all police officers around have been doing their best.
“They are hardworking people. All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make anything better” Disu added.
Disu emphasised that he would re-orient officers to the reality that the era of impunity is over, stressing that professionalism is central to effective policing and that respect for human rights will be strictly.
“My top priority, like one of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizens of the country, are the boss. It’s very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public” he added.
He pledged to prioritise continuous training and capacity-building to ensure operatives adhere to the rule of law and global best practices.
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The Acting Inspector-General of Police also affirmed that his leadership would operate a zero-tolerance policy on corruption, warning that misconduct and abuse of power would attract firm sanctions.
“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to ensure they follow human rights. I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption, and most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
He expressed gratitude to the President for the confidence reposed in him, describing his appointment as a profound honour and a moment of personal significance.
“The appointment means a lot to me because I have the love of my profession, the love of the country, and it came at a time I was not expecting it, that makes me give thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity, to see me fit to be appointed as his Inspector-General Police.
“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears. It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and then it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for, and ensure that I bring peace to the country.
Acting IGP Disu pledged to prioritise the welfare of officers, noting that a well-supported and motivated workforce is essential for effective policing.
Firm Leadership and Professionalism
Speaking after the decoration ceremony, Former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, advised the Acting IGP to sustain ongoing reforms, including the restructuring of intelligence coordination, strengthening inter-agency deployment models, dismantling criminal syndicates, and improving intelligence response mechanisms nationwide.
He expressed optimism that Disu would consolidate the gains recorded in these areas and deliver even stronger results in strengthening national security.
“The President once said that a good leader should have a succession plan, and must invest in his likeliest successors. I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job, and he’s been decorated today and I’ll be handing over in the next few moments. Thank you.
“My advice to the newly appointed acting Inspector-General Police is that he should continue to show commitment to the things that we have been doing together. He has been part of my administration from the beginning; he was my PSO, he was CP in Rivers, in FCT, he was the AIG in charge of SPU.”
The former IGP said Disu demonstrated firm leadership and professionalism in implementing the Presidential directive on the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP protection duties, ensuring full compliance with the order.
“I am happy that he’s the one that is taking over from me, and my advice to him again is that he knows all those things we’ve been doing together, restructuring our intelligence coordination, improving inter-agency deployment model, dismantling several criminal syndicates. I’m sure he’s going to continue to do that, and improving our intelligence response mechanisms.
“I have so much confidence that he would surpass what I have done. So thank you.” Former IGP Egbetokun added.