Olushola Omogbehin
Following the exit of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun from office on Tuesday and the appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, as the new Inspector-General of Police, about 20 police officers with DIGs and AIGs would likely resign alongside Egbetokun.
The Special Adviser to President Tinubu on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga confirmed on Tuesday that Egbetokun resigned his appointment as a result of family issues that require his undivided attention.
“The IG resigned in a letter today, citing family issues which require his undivided attention,” he said.
Though there were rumour that Egbetokun was forced to resign but President Tinubu has accepted his resignation and immediately appointed AIG Disu as acting Inspector-General of Police with immediate effect because of the insecurity in the land.
According to Onanuga, the President is confident that AIG Disu’s experience, operational depth and demonstrated leadership capacity will provide steady and focused direction for the Nigeria Police Force in a time like this.
Prios his appointment as Inspector General of Police, Disu became an Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos in February 2026 and headed the Special Protection Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, from March 2025 to February 2026.
From October 2024 to March 2025, he was a Commissioner of Police, Federal Capital Territory Police Command and at the Rivers State Police Command from November 2023 to October 2024.
As Deputy Commissioner of Police, he led the Intelligence Response Team and also served as DCP, Admin Operations, at Force Headquarters.
However, his appointment has brought to the fore some police traditions that must be adhered to and one of which is the resignation of some senior officers.
PUNCH reports that in line with this tradition, a source within the Police Service Commission said the new development could lead to the resignation of about 15 or 20 senior officers who are Disu’s seniors.
“Going by recent practice, Disu’s seniors might have to submit their resignation letters. We might have those who may wish to stay behind and salute their juniors.”
According to the source, in spite of the nine DIGs, the AIGs who are senior to him are not many but between 15 and 20 may resign.
Specifically, a retired AIG, Ali Amodu, said the development was in line with police tradition, saying that the DIGs would likely resign alongside Egbetokun.
He said, “He (Disu) is a junior to the DIGs. By Force tradition, they are not supposed to be there. The DIGs cannot be there. Don’t you see what is happening in the military? Don’t you see the military tradition? If Disu is confirmed, the DIGs are supposed to go.
“It’s just the AIGs who would remain although this is at the discretion of the President and the police service commission. They are of the same rank, even if there are some of them that are senior to him as AIG. But that is even permissible, but the DIGs will have to go, That’s the way I see it.”
Congratulating the new IG and wishing him the best of luck in the daunting challenge ahead of him in the area of security, former DIG Adedayo Adeoye said:
“Normally, the DIGs are supposed to leave. Even any AIG that is senior to him, unless the new IG wants to retain any of them. The discretion is now with him, the new IG.”
AIG Lawrence Alobi said “That would depend on the new IG and also for the purpose of discipline, you know, it’s not very good for them to stay. They should also leave with honour and so that the IG now brings new officers to come on board as management team with him.”
A credible source who spoke with PUNCH, said the DIGs who are senior to the acting IG and head key departments include: “Finance and Administration, DIG Yahaya Abubakar; Operations, Bzigu Kwazhi; Logistics and Supply, Adebola Hamzat; Force Criminal Investigation Department, Sadiq Abubakar; Training and Development, Frank Mba; Research and Planning, Basil Idegwu; Information and Communication Technology, and the Force Intelligence Bureau, Mohammed Gumel.”
Appointed as Inspector General of Police by the President on June 19, 2023, Egbetokun officially reached the mandatory retirement age of 60 on September 4, 2024 and his continued stay in office has since generated widespread controversy and legal battles.
The presidency hinged its decision to retain him in office on the amendment to the Police Act.
