- Safiu Kehinde
President Bola Tinubu has on Tuesday appointed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as Acting Inspector-General of Police following the resignation of IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
NPO Reported that Egbetokun had tendered his resignation letter to the President, citing pressing family consideration.
The former IGP’s resignation brought an end to his extended tenure which had been a subject of controversy since 2024 with human rights activist, Omoyele Sowore, advocating for his removal.
Egbetokun’s resignation on Monday brought a breath of fresh air in the Nigeria Police Force as Tinubu approved the appointment of Disu as the Acting IGP.
Born on the 13th of April 1966 in Lagos Island, Tunji Disu attended Holy Cross Cathedral primary school and completed his primary school education at Mayflower Junior School in Ikenne, Ogun State in 1979.
He attended on to Pobuna Secondary Grammar School in Epe, but completed his secondary education at St Gregory’s College, Lagos in 1985.
Disu furthered his education after gaining admission to study English (Education) at the Lagos State University where he graduated with a bachelor’s degree in English Education in 1990.
He obtained a post-graduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies from Lagos State University, and a certificate in Personal Protection from the United Kingdom.
The new Police Chief joined the Force on the 18th of May 1992.
He served as DPO in Ago Iwoye (Ogun State), Ikare (Ondo State), Owo (Ondo State), Elimbu and Elelenwo, in Rivers State.
His stint in Rivers also saw him serve as Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and anti-kidnapping.
On the international space, Disu, in 2005, as contingent commander, he led the first-ever Nigerian Police contingent on African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS) on a peacekeeping mission.
While in Darfur, he was appointed the acting Chief of Staff until his return to Nigeria in 2006.
Disu was redeployed to Lagos State in 2015 where he served as the commander of the Lagos State Rapid Respond Squad (RRS) between June 13, 2015, to August 2021.
On August 2, 2021, Usman Alkali Baba, the inspector-general of police (2022), appointed Disu as the new head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a position previously held by Abba Kyari.
Tunji Disu was promoted to the rank of Commissioner of Police in March 2023 by the Nigerian Police Service Commission and was transferred back to Rivers State where he served as the state’s Commissioner of Police.
His transferred to Abuja in October 2024 where he took over as the FCT Police Commissioner.
Another promotion in March 2025 saw him elevated to the rank of Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG).