The appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police in Nigeria comes with high stakes.
The new police boss is a career officer known for high-stakes operations, community-focused strategies and an uncommon sporting pedigree. Disu’s elevation comes with both continuity and renewed expectations within the Nigeria Police Force.
Before his appointment as the 23rd IGP, Disu served as Commissioner of Police in the Federal Capital Territory and Rivers State. He was later deployed to Abuja by the former IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. Over the years, he has occupied several sensitive positions, including leadership roles in the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), anti-kidnapping units and state criminal investigation departments.
Here are five defining chapters of his career:
1. A Measured Response During EndSARS
During the 2020 EndSARS protests, Disu was Commander of the Lagos State Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS). At a time when tensions between citizens and law enforcement were at their peak, his approach stood out.
Under his leadership, RRS ambulances were deployed to offer medical support to injured protesters, a move that many observers described as a shift toward people-centred policing. His engagement strategy encouraged dialogue, and residents reportedly shared intelligence with officers, reassured by promises of confidentiality.
Some have cited the RRS under Disu as an example of professional, community-oriented policing during one of Nigeria’s most turbulent civic moments.
2. Role in the Arrest of Kidnap Kingpin Evans
Disu played a central role in the operation that led to the arrest of notorious kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, popularly known as Evans.
The suspect was apprehended at his residence in Magodo, Lagos, in what became one of the most high-profile anti-kidnapping breakthroughs in Nigeria’s recent history. The arrest dealt a significant blow to organised kidnapping networks that had terrorised business executives and wealthy residents.
3. Cross-Border Recovery of Stolen iPhones
In another high-profile case, Disu led investigations following the burglary of a major iPhone store in South Africa. Intelligence tracking traced the stolen devices to Computer Village in Ikeja, Lagos.
Through a coordinated operation, the devices were recovered and returned, earning commendation from South African authorities. The operation contributed to Lagos State’s recognition in 2016 by Security Watch Africa as one of the continent’s safest states, while the RRS was rated the best anti-crime police unit in West Africa.
4. Crackdown on Cult Violence in Rivers
As Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Disu oversaw decisive operations against violent cult groups destabilising communities.
One of the most notable operations under his watch was the neutralisation of Gift Okpara, widely known as “2Baba,” who was identified as the prime suspect in the killing of Divisional Police Officer Bako Angbashim in Ahoada East Local Government Area in 2023.
The operation involved coordinated land and aerial surveillance, and security authorities said it helped restore stability in parts of the state plagued by cult-related violence.
5. A Decorated Judoka
Beyond policing, Disu brings to office a record of sporting excellence. An accomplished judoka, he began practising judo in 1986 and has competed at national and international levels.
At the U.S. Open Judo Championship in 2022, he won a silver medal against more than 500 international competitors. He has also secured two gold medals at the National Sports Festival and multiple honours at the Nigerian Police and Armed Forces Games. In 2021, he clinched gold at the Nigerian Police Veterans Championship.
Whether confronting organised crime, internal discipline or emerging security threats, the new IGP now steps from operational command into national oversight, carrying with him a record forged on some of Nigeria’s most complex policing fronts.
