Tinubu Appoints Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police Amid Rising Security Challenges

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has appointed AIG Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police after Kayode Egbetokun resigned. Disu takes over amid rising insurgency, banditry, and urban crime. His appointment will be reviewed by the Nigeria Police Council and sent to the Senate for confirmation.

Nigeria’s President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has appointed Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, following the resignation of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun. This change in leadership comes at a time when the nation is grappling with escalating security challenges across multiple regions, highlighting the urgency for strengthened law enforcement and strategic oversight.
The announcement was made on Tuesday evening by the presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga. According to the statement, “President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, GCFR, has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, following the submission of his resignation letter citing pressing family considerations.” The statement further elaborated that “in view of the current security challenges confronting the nation, and acting in accordance with extant laws and legal guidance, President Tinubu has approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu to serve as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.”
In accordance with local laws, President Tinubu is expected to convene a meeting of the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as the substantive Inspector-General of Police. Once the council formally reviews and approves the recommendation, Disu’s name will be transmitted to the Nigerian Senate for confirmation, completing the procedural requirements for the official designation.
Disu assumes this critical role at a time when Nigeria faces one of its most complex and multi-faceted security landscapes in recent years. In 2026, the country continues to contend with insurgency in the northeast, led by extremist groups such as Boko Haram and Daesh, which remain a persistent threat despite ongoing military operations and counterterrorism initiatives. The insurgency has caused displacement, destruction, and loss of life, and remains a significant concern for national security planners.
The northwestern states are also experiencing widespread insecurity due to banditry and mass kidnappings for ransom, targeting rural communities, highways, and educational institutions. Criminal gangs operating from forest enclaves have made it increasingly difficult for local authorities to maintain law and order. These attacks have created a climate of fear, disrupted commerce, and caused schools and communities to operate under heightened security alerts.
Urban centers across Nigeria are not immune to rising insecurity. Economic hardship, high levels of youth unemployment, and urban crime have compounded instability nationwide. In several instances, police stations and personnel have been directly attacked, underscoring the pressures faced by law enforcement agencies and the urgent need for strong leadership to restore public confidence in security institutions.
Before his appointment as Acting Inspector-General, Tunji Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) in Lagos, a position he assumed following his promotion to Assistant Inspector-General last year. His career has included service as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State before being redeployed to Abuja as Commissioner of Police of the Federal Capital Territory. Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police and formerly led the Intelligence Response Team of the Nigeria Police Force, a unit that was once headed by the embattled senior officer Abba Kyari.
Born on April 13, 1966, Disu has also served as Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad and has led anti-kidnapping operations in Rivers State. In 2005, he commanded the first Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union peacekeeping mission in Sudan, where he served in Darfur and was appointed acting Chief of Staff before returning to Nigeria in 2006. His experience spans operational command, intelligence, crisis management, and international peacekeeping, reflecting a career built on tackling complex security challenges.
Disu’s appointment concludes the tenure of Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, who had served as the 22nd Inspector-General of Police since his appointment by President Tinubu on June 19, 2023. Egbetokun’s substantive appointment was confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31 of the same year, marking the formal recognition of his role. His resignation now paves the way for Disu to take on the responsibility of leading the Nigeria Police Force at a time when the country’s security situation demands strong, strategic, and proactive leadership.