Disu: A strong start, next step is technology

BY TUNDE OPESEITAN

Two months is undoubtedly too short a period to fully assess any administration. However, as the saying goes, the fragrance of a beautiful Saturday is carried on the breeze of Friday. For the new Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, the early signs are encouraging, promising, and reassuring of better days ahead for the Nigeria Police Force.

As a journalist with a particular interest in crime and judiciary reporting, I have closely observed and documented the engagements, initiatives, and deliberate reforms championed by Disu. From my keen observation, I can confidently project an improved security architecture from a policing perspective, provided the IGP sustains this positive trajectory and leverages other critical areas, especially the large-scale deployment of technology to combat insecurity.

One of the most notable strides of Disu within his first two months in office is the revitalisation of the Police Complaint Response Unit (CRU), aimed at swiftly addressing misconduct and restoring public confidence in the police.

The sincerity of Disu’s declaration on his first day in office to the effect that the people are the true bosses of police officers was evident in a video I recently watched. In it, a Nigerian expressed gratitude after recovering money extorted from him by some unscrupulous police officers, thanks to the intervention of the CRU.

“My name is Daniel Ifeanyi. I just want to use this opportunity to thank the Inspector General of Police, the Police CRU, the Police Public Relations Officer, and the entire police force for helping me recover the money that was extorted from me by some bad officers. This action has restored my confidence in the police force. I encourage people to report their complaints. The police are actually working,” Ifeanyi said while displaying the money in the video.

This development strengthens the perception that the police may be ready to take decisive action against the long-standing challenges of corruption and impunity within the force. What is now essential is sustained public demand for continuity and expansion of these reforms, particularly the CRU initiative.
There is a clear need for every Police Command across the 36 states and the FCT to establish well-resourced, responsive teams dedicated to receiving and resolving citizen complaints promptly, before they escalate to social media. This proactive approach is a strategic model that all Commissioners of Police should seriously consider and institutionalise.

I was also encouraged by a viral video posted by a Nigerian identified as Rhapstar, which exposed misconduct and incivility by officers attached to the Satellite Town Division in the Festac area of Lagos State. I was personally irked when I heard a police officer in the video saying, “I will loose guard you.”

But the swift response of the police authorities to summon the Divisional Police Officer and the officers involved, obtaining statements, and initiating investigations in line with established procedures, is reassuring, and this demonstrates a renewed commitment to accountability.

Preliminary findings indicate that the incident occurred in May 2025. It is noteworthy that, due to Disu’s encouragement for citizens to report misconduct, the complainant felt confident enough to come forward with video evidence.

The investigation is ongoing, and it is reassuring that the Force Management Team under Disu has reiterated that the rule of law remains non-negotiable. This stance must be sustained: no officer should be above the law, and where misconduct is established, appropriate sanctions must follow. Justice must not only be done but must be seen to be done.

It is also commendable that, within his early days in office, Disu has advanced discussions on the establishment of state police. By constituting a committee to develop an implementation framework from the police perspective, now submitted to the National Assembly, he has taken a bold and strategic step toward addressing the country’s persistent security challenges.

I would, however, respectfully urge the Inspector-General of Police to revisit the proposed 60-month execution timeline, with a view to accelerating the process and enabling more timely realisation of this critical reform.
From an operational standpoint, another significant reform is the nationwide restructuring and reduction of police tactical units to enhance efficiency, accountability, and supervision. The new policy limits Zonal and State Commands to a maximum of five tactical teams, and Area Commands and Divisions to three.

This “precision cut,” as it has been described, aims to curb the proliferation of tactical units, improve oversight, reduce excesses, and redeploy more officers to regular station duties.

Equally commendable is Disu’s welfare initiative for serving officers and the families of those who died in the line of duty. Through the “Inspector General of Police Family Welfare Scheme,” meaningful support has been extended to bereaved families across the country, reaffirming that their sacrifices are neither forgotten nor taken for granted.

Notably, within less than a month of assuming office, he facilitated the disbursement of ₦2.4 billion to 1,075 families, an impactful gesture that underscores the profound debt owed to those who gave their lives in service of the nation’s safety and peace.

Furthermore, Disu has strengthened inter-agency collaboration with the Army, Air Force, Navy, DSS, and other security agencies. This synergy is already yielding positive results in the fight against crime and has been extended to civil society organisations, the Police Community Relations Committee, and state governments.

For me, in setting the agenda ahead, there must be sustained efforts to deploy modern technology in tackling insecurity, particularly insurgency, banditry, and kidnapping. It is encouraging that, within days of assuming office, Disu visited Borno, Plateau, and Kwara States to assess security situations firsthand and engage directly with officers, victims, and stakeholders.

This proactive approach reflects his reputation as a field-oriented officer who leads from the front rather than relying solely on reports. I look forward to a more intelligence-driven policing model that leverages technology to effectively investigate, arrest, and prosecute criminals and their sponsors, while proactively preventing emerging threats.

Finally, I am of the strong view that the introduction of body cameras for police officers nationwide would significantly curb misconduct and provide critical evidence for investigations and prosecutions, and Disu is well placed to make this happen.

Addendum

As for the IGP’s tenure debate, this has been clearly addressed in Part III, Section 7 of the Police Act 2020, which outlines the procedures for appointment, removal, functions, and powers of the office.

According to the Act, which I have read, Section 7(3) states that the IGP shall be appointed by the President on the advice of the Police Council from among serving members of the Police Force.

Section 7(4) provides that the IGP shall not be removed from office except for gross misconduct, violation of the Constitution, or incapacity, while Section 7(5) stipulates that such removal must be made by the President on the advice of the Police Council.

Section 7(6), which addresses tenure, clearly states that the officeholder “shall hold office for four years.”

The operative word — “shall”— denotes a mandatory obligation, reinforcing the intent of the law to ensure stability, continuity, and accountability within the police leadership.

As IGP Disu marks his birthday today, I wish him good health, long life, and the wisdom to lead effectively. I look forward to four years of enhanced security architecture and transformative policing under his leadership.