By Ayo Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Council, on Monday, unanimously ratified the appointment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP), clearing the way for his formal swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday.
A statement signed on Monday by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, stated that the ceremony is scheduled to be held during the meeting of the Federal Executive Council at the State House.
The Council’s meeting was presided over by President Tinubu and attended by Vice President Kashim Shettima, state governors, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, retired DIG Hashimu Argungu, in line with constitutional provisions.
Also present were 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, Nyesom Wike; and the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Mrs Esther Didi Walson-Jack.
President Tinubu had appointed Disu following the resignation of former Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun.
Speaking after the Council’s endorsement, Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State commended Disu for his exemplary service record, particularly during his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos between 2015 and 2021. He noted that Disu’s leadership earned the squad recognition for excellence in crime control and rapid response operations.
Governor Abdullahi Sule of Nasarawa State described the appointment as merit-based, citing Disu’s distinguished career and operational experience.
Similarly, Wike lauded the new IGP’s professionalism and crime-fighting capacity, recalling his service 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. Disu later served as Commissioner of Police in the FCT Command during Wike’s tenure as minister, where he was credited with strengthening the territory’s security framework.
Governor Peter Mbah of Enugu State seconded the motion endorsing Disu’s appointment at the Council meeting.
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 studies, legal psychology, and entrepreneurship.
Before his elevation, 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, bringing decades of operational, investigative, and strategic leadership experience to his new role.
