By Nkechi Eze
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s decision to elevate Olatunji Disu to the position of Acting Inspector-General of Police signals a defining shift within Nigeria’s security leadership structure. At a time when public confidence in law enforcement demands renewal and the nation faces increasingly complex security threats, the appointment is more than ceremonial, it is consequential. It reflects both trust in experience and an expectation of measurable reform.
For many within policing and security circles, Disu’s emergence is the product of steady professional evolution rather than sudden elevation. His career has been shaped in operational theatres where outcomes matter, visibility is high, and mistakes carry heavy consequences. Those formative experiences now converge at the highest command level of the Nigeria Police Force.
Perhaps one of the most referenced chapters of his service is his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos. The RRS, designed as a tactical intervention unit, operates in an environment where rapid intelligence processing and swift decision-making are essential. Under Disu’s leadership, the squad developed a reputation for responsiveness and operational clarity, particularly during periods when parts of Lagos grappled with violent crime and public anxiety.
Serving under Commissioners of Police such as Fatai Owoseni and Imohimi Edgal, he was regularly assigned to manage sensitive security flashpoints, including volatile zones like Ikorodu and other densely populated districts. Colleagues recall a leadership style that combined firmness with structure, decisive in enforcement, yet mindful of procedure. In a metropolis as complex as Lagos, such balance is not incidental; it is strategic.
His professional arc did not plateau there. Subsequent assignments in Rivers State exposed him to politically sensitive security dynamics, while his role in the Federal Capital Territory broadened his experience within Nigeria’s administrative epicenter. These postings required coordination with multiple security agencies, management of high-profile operations, and careful navigation of national political sensitivities. Together, they reinforced his standing as a hands-on officer comfortable with both field command and inter-agency collaboration.
Yet operational competence is only one dimension of leadership. Disu is widely described as administratively grounded and detail-oriented, traits essential in a Force often challenged by bureaucratic inertia. Policing in the 21st century demands more than patrol operations; it requires structural efficiency, data-driven strategy, and policy alignment. His career trajectory suggests familiarity with these institutional mechanics.
Equally notable is his reputation for inclusivity. Within the ranks, he has long been viewed as a detribalized officer whose decisions reflect professional merit rather than ethnic alignment. The diversity among his aides and team members over the years, drawn from various regions and backgrounds has reinforced perceptions of a leader who sees the Force as a national institution rather than a sectional entity. In a country where unity remains an ongoing project, such posture carries symbolic and practical weight.
The context into which he steps as Acting IGP is particularly demanding. Nigeria’s security challenges are multi-layeredranging from organized criminal networks and cybercrime to insurgency-linked threats and urban unrest. Simultaneously, the rise of social media has transformed the public’s relationship with policing. Incidents unfold in real time before a digital audience that demands transparency, accountability, and swift communication. The era of closed-door crisis management has faded; today’s police leadership operates under constant civic observation.
Strategically, Disu’s network across oversight and security institutions may enhance his capacity to deliver coordinated responses. Engagement with the Police Service Commission, collaboration with the Office of the National Security Adviser, and synergy with sister agencies such as Customs and intelligence bodies will be critical. Modern security threats are rarely confined to one jurisdiction or agency, making inter-agency trust indispensable.
Still, leadership at the top cannot operate in isolation. The trajectory of his tenure will depend significantly on systemic backing, adequate funding, modern equipment, improved welfare for officers, and sustained political commitment to reform. The Nigeria Police Force requires structural reinforcement as much as operational drive. Without institutional investment, even the most capable commander confronts constraints.
What distinguishes Disu’s rise is the alignment of preparation and timing. His professional history suggests familiarity with high-pressure environments, disciplined execution, and coordinated strategy. Yet the office he now occupies demands a transition from operational commander to institutional reformer, a role that blends vision with execution.
For Lagos, his ascent holds symbolic resonance, marking renewed representation in the Force’s highest office after a prolonged absence. For the Nigeria Police Force, it presents an opportunity to recalibrate toward professionalism and restored public trust. And for Nigeria at large, it introduces a security chief whose track record has already set expectations at an elevated level.
The true measure of his leadership will unfold in the months ahead, through policy direction, operational results, and institutional reform. But one reality is clear: IGP Tunji Disu assumes command with experience forged in demanding arenas and a professional history that sets the bar high.
