The appointment of Tunji Disu as acting Inspector-General of Police has triggered fresh attention within the senior ranks of the Nigeria Police Force over possible changes at the top.
The development followed the resignation of Mr Kayode Egbetokun, whose tenure had earlier been extended by the President.
Before his elevation, Disu served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.
Tradition within the Force suggests that when a junior officer is elevated above seniors, some of those senior officers may retire or be redeployed.
Reports indicate that up to eight Deputy Inspectors-General of Police could be affected by the new arrangement.
Profiles of affected officers
The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the department of logistics and supply, Adebola Hamzat, oversees procurement, works, housing, and quarter-master services for the Force.
He was decorated as a DIG in March 2025 after serving as assistant inspector-general in charge of Zone 16, Yenagoa, and earlier as commissioner of police in Oyo State and head of the counter terrorism unit.
The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of finance and administration, Yahaya Abubakar, manages budgeting, personnel administration, and financial operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He rose through senior leadership roles including assistant inspector-general and zone commander before his promotion by the Police Service Commission in 2024.
The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of operations, Bzigu Kwazhi, leads national operational planning, joint security coordination, and crisis response measures.
His duties include managing elections security, disaster response, and riot control, while he has previously served as commissioner of police in Osun and Akwa Ibom states.
The deputy inspector-general of police heading information and communication technology, Adebowale Williams, directs the Force’s digital systems, technological infrastructure, and data-driven policing tools.
His department is responsible for modernising operational systems and improving communication networks across commands.
The deputy inspector-general of police, Idris Abubakar, joined the Force as a cadet assistant superintendent of police in May 1992 and hails from Garko Local Government Area of Kano State.
He holds academic qualifications including a Bachelor of Science in Education from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, as well as postgraduate degrees in psychology from the University of Abuja.
The deputy inspector-general of police, Frank Mba, began his career as an inspector and steadily rose through the ranks to become assistant inspector-general in March 2023.
He served as the Force Public Relations Officer on three occasions and received a United Nations medal for service in Liberia between 2006 and 2007.
The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of research and planning, Basil Idegwu, supervises strategic planning, policy development, and reform initiatives within the Force.
He holds a doctorate in peace and security studies and leads programmes aimed at strengthening community policing and institutional standards.
The deputy inspector-general of police in charge of the force intelligence department, Mohammed Gumel, assumed office in late 2025 and leads intelligence gathering operations nationwide.
His responsibilities include coordinating intelligence analysis, supporting investigations, and advancing community-based policing initiatives.
Implications of the transition
The emergence of a new acting Inspector-General typically initiates a chain of administrative decisions that may lead to retirements, redeployments, or role adjustments.
Such changes are often aimed at aligning the leadership structure with the operational vision of the new head of the Force.
Observers note that the process is guided by established service rules and traditions that govern seniority and command hierarchy.
The ongoing transition is therefore expected to shape the next phase of leadership within the Force while maintaining continuity in policing duties across the country.
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