The Nigeria Police Council on Monday unanimously ratified the appointment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as Inspector-General of Police (IGP), paving the way for his formal swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
The swearing-in ceremony is expected to take place before the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting scheduled for the same day.
The Council meeting, held at the Council Chamber of the State House, Abuja, was presided over by President Bola Tinubu and attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Argungu (rtd), in line with constitutional provisions.
Other senior officials present included the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack.
President Tinubu had appointed Disu as Acting Inspector-General last Wednesday following the resignation of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seconded the motion endorsing Disu’s appointment during the Council deliberations.
Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State spoke glowingly of Disu’s record, particularly his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos between 2015 and 2021, where he was credited with strengthening crime control and operational effectiveness.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State described the appointment as merit-based, noting that Disu’s career trajectory reflects professionalism and competence.
FCT Minister Nyesom Wike also commended Disu’s professionalism and operational efficiency. Disu previously served in Rivers State as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and as Officer-in-Charge of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit between 2014 and 2015. He later served as Commissioner of Police for the FCT Command.
Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Governor of Kwara State, AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq, said the Council thoroughly reviewed Disu’s performance record before approving his appointment.
“He has his work cut out for him, especially with ongoing discussions around state policing. He has handled major assignments in Lagos and the FCT and has demonstrated capacity,” AbdulRazaq stated.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. Over the years, he has risen through the ranks, acquiring qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security management, legal psychology and entrepreneurship.
Prior to his appointment, he served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force Criminal Investigation Department (CID) Annex in Lagos.
With his confirmation by the Police Council, Disu becomes the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, assuming leadership at a time when policing reforms and debates over decentralisation remain prominent in national discourse.
Deji Elumoye in Abuja
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