Tinubu to Disu: Restore peace, security

President Bola Tinubu and wife of the acting Inspector-General of Police, Olufunmilola Olatunji Disu decorating the newly-appointed, Acting Inspector General Police, Olatunji Disu at the Presidential Villa Abuja.

•Says ‘you have my support’

•My appointment took me off-guard—Disu

•Vows zero tolerance for impunity

PRESIDENT Bola Tinubu, has charged the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to restore peace and strengthen security nationwide.

Tinubu issued the directive at the decoration of Disu as the Acting Inspector-General of Police, following the retirement of Kayode Egbetokun, pending the Nigeria Police Council’s ratification of the appointment and the Senate’s confirmation. 

The council will meet next week.

But after his decoration as the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police IGP which was barely 48 days to his retirement, the acting IGP, Olatunji Disu, said his appointment took him by surprise but noted that it filled him with gratitude to the President

In his charge at the ceremony held at State House, the President said: “I made this decision for you to assume this responsibility. I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor.”

President Tinubu described Disu’s appointment as coming at a critical moment, urging him to rebuild public confidence in the police’s capacity to do their job in collaboration with other security forces.

“Lead firmly but fairly, demand professionalism at every level and ensure that the safety of lives and property remains our highest priority. It’s a daunting challenge. I know you can do it. You have my word, you have my full support,” the President added.

Expressing confidence in the Acting IGP’s discipline, operational experience and leadership capacity, Tinubu said: “Nigeria is challenged with banditry, terrorism and other criminal activities. You will be part of the thinking and innovation to overcome them.”

He reaffirmed his belief that Nigeria would prevail under a committed leadership.

Paying tribute to the outgoing Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, who was present with his spouse, the President said: “To the outgoing Inspector-General, we are a grateful nation. Nigeria appreciates your contributions to maintaining law and order.

“You have not succeeded without a good successor. His success will also be part of your legacy.”

The President urged all security stakeholders to work collectively to safeguard lives and property during this critical period.

Speaking to State House correspondents, after his decoration with his new IGP rank, Disu promised to make the welfare of police officers a top priority.

He also said the first gospel he was going to deliver to officers and men of the police force was that the era of impunity was gone.

Asked what the appointment meant to him, IGP Disu said: “It came at a time I was not expecting it. That makes me give thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity to see me fit to be appointed as the Inspector General of Police. 

“The President mentioned a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I have worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears.”

He interpreted Tinubu’s endorsement as both recognition and a direct challenge.

He said: “It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and then it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for, and ensure that I bring peace, recognition, and order to the country.”

Asked what should be his priorities, the acting IGP said: “My priority is to talk to them (police officers and men), let them know that the citizen of the country is the boss.

“No police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public. I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration, because people who are motivated put in their best.”

Disu read a riot act to his men to end impunity, uphold human rights, and root out corruption.

“The area of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to ensure they follow human rights. I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption,” he pledged.

While calling for public partnership, the new Police boss said: “Most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”

He also vowed to tackle banditry head-on as Nigeria is grappling with banditry and insurgency just as he praised officers’ efforts while promising sharper focus.  

“The country is facing a particular problem now, issue of banditry insurgency. I know all police officers around have been doing their best. They are hardworking people. All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make things better. I appreciate that”, he said.