President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun and immediately appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) Olatunji Disu as Acting IGP, effective today.
The announcement came following Egbetokun's submission of a resignation letter earlier on Tuesday, officially citing personal and family reasons requiring his full attention. Egbetokun, who assumed office as the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, had his tenure extended amid Nigeria's ongoing security demands. While the official statement emphasized voluntary family considerations, multiple sources within the Presidency indicated that the resignation followed a directive from President Tinubu during a meeting at the Presidential Villa on Monday evening.
In a statement from the State House, President Tinubu commended Egbetokun for his dedicated service and leadership during a challenging period marked by persistent security threats across the country. The President highlighted the need for "renewed focus and vigor" to tackle prevailing challenges, including insurgency, kidnapping, banditry, and other forms of criminality.
Acting in line with the Police Act 2020 and constitutional provisions, President Tinubu approved AIG Disu's appointment as Acting IGP pending formal processes. These include convening the Nigeria Police Council to consider his substantive appointment, followed by transmission of his name to the Senate for confirmation.
AIG Olatunji Disu, born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos Island, Lagos State, brings over three decades of distinguished service to the Nigeria Police Force, having enlisted on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police. A graduate of Lagos State University with a Bachelor of Arts in English Education, Disu also holds Master's degrees in Public Administration and in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology.
His career trajectory includes high-profile roles such as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Principal Staff Officer to previous IGPs, Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos, and head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). Disu previously served as Aide-de-Camp (ADC) to then-Governor Bola Ahmed Tinubu in Lagos State and has been praised for his expertise in intelligence-led policing, operational excellence, and combating serious crimes.
President Tinubu expressed strong confidence in the new Acting IGP's ability to build on existing foundations, strengthen inter-agency collaboration, advance community policing efforts, and intensify operations against crime and insecurity nationwide. The appointment is viewed by some analysts as a strategic shift toward more aggressive, intelligence-driven approaches to security, drawing on Disu's proven track record in high-stakes operations.
The Presidency reassured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force remains fully committed to upholding law and order, protecting lives and property, and supporting the administration's Renewed Hope Agenda. No immediate handover ceremony details have been released, but a formal transition is expected soon.
This leadership change comes amid heightened public scrutiny of policing effectiveness and calls for reforms to address rising insecurity in various regions. Security experts anticipate that Disu's tenure will prioritize enhanced coordination with other agencies and rapid response to emerging threats.