President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has accepted the resignation of the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, bringing to an abrupt close a tenure that was originally scheduled to run until June 2027. The development, announced Tuesday, signals a significant recalibration at the apex of the nation’s internal security architecture.
In a statement issued by the Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Mr. Bayo Onanuga, the president acknowledged receipt of Egbetokun’s letter, in which he cited pressing family considerations for his decision to step aside. The presidency described the resignation as voluntary and effective immediately.
President Tinubu paid glowing tribute to Egbetokun’s decades of service to the Nigeria Police Force, commending his professionalism, discipline and commitment to strengthening institutional capacity. Appointed in June 2023 for a four-year statutory term under the amended Police Act, Egbetokun’s stewardship was characterised by efforts to stabilise and reform the force amid complex security challenges.
Against the backdrop of persistent threats across various parts of the country, the president moved swiftly to ensure continuity in leadership. Acting in accordance with extant laws, he approved the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Ridwan Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect.
Until his elevation, Disu was serving as AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He previously headed the Special Protection Unit at Force Headquarters, Abuja, and had a brief but strategic stint at the FCT Police Command, experiences that placed him at the heart of high-level security coordination.
A seasoned crime fighter, Disu served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and earlier as CP, Administration and Intelligence, at the Force Intelligence Bureau. As Deputy Commissioner of Police and Head of the Intelligence Response Team, he was deeply involved in high-stakes operations targeting kidnapping and organised crime.
His operational footprint is perhaps most pronounced in Lagos, where he commanded the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) between 2015 and 2021, earning commendations for urban crime control. Over the years, he also held postings in Ondo, Oyo, Katsina and Rivers States, rising steadily through the ranks since his enlistment as an Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1992.
An alumnus of the Lagos State University, Disu holds advanced degrees in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology, as well as a postgraduate qualification in International Relations and Strategic Studies. He also earned an MSc in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University and a master’s degree in Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria, underscoring a blend of academic depth and field experience.
Decorated multiple times for operational excellence, Disu was named Best Commissioner of Police of the Year at the 2024 IGP Recognition Awards, while units under his command received regional accolades for anti-crime performance. He is a member of several professional bodies, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, and is also a third-dan black belt in judo, serving as National Chairman of the Nigeria Police Judo Association.
In line with the Police Act 2020, President Tinubu is expected to convene the Nigeria Police Council to formally consider Disu’s appointment as substantive Inspector-General, after which his name will be transmitted to the Senate for confirmation. The presidency reiterated its commitment to a professional, accountable and well-equipped police force, even as the nation watches closely to see how the new acting IGP navigates the mounting security imperatives of the moment.