Tunde Disu was appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday, February 25, 2026, during a ceremony at the State House in Abuja.
The event, which took place at 4 p.m. in the President’s office, was attended by National Security Adviser Nuhu Ribadu, Chief of Staff Femi Gbajabiamila, Secretary to the Government of the Federation George Akume, and former Inspector General Kayode Egbetokun.
Tinubu praised Disu’s dedication and expertise during the ceremony, emphasizing the need of restoring public faith in the police and strengthening national security.
As Tunde Disu, the new IGP, takes on the mantle of police leadership, many Nigerians have congratulated him, expressing concern about the Force’s plight and advocating for urgent and efficient reforms that will reset police professionalism and restore public trust and confidence.
However, numerous Nigerians, particularly professionals who work in the criminal justice system, spoke with WITHIN NIGERIA about essential reforms, policy directions, and expectations from the new police commissioner.
In a phone conversation with WITHIN NIGERIA, Pelumi Olajengbesi, principle partner at Law Corridor, advised the acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to emphasize police officers’ health in order to enhance their morale in the fight against sophisticated criminals and state adversaries.
Olajengbesi, who praised the appointment of the acting IGP as a well-deserved promotion and recognition for over three decades of meritorious service, noted that the reward for hard work is greater effort.
He encouraged the interim IGP to begin meaningful reforms because Nigerians want a speedy improvement in the country’s security condition and will not accept excuses.
“The new IGP should prioritize police welfare to boost the motivation of gallant officers combating bloody criminals. Salaries of officers should be raised. Allowances paid on time. Promotions shouldn’t be delayed but meritorious. Dilapidated police barracks should be renovated. More should be built”.
He also recommended that more officers should be recruited because the present policeman-to-citizen ratio is abysmal.
Ayo Adekanbi, an activist and public affairs expert, told WITHIN NIGERIA that the interim IGP should implement reforms to improve human rights compliance within the police.
According to Adekanbi, the police have become an instrument of intimidation and tyranny in the hands of the powerful, wealthy, and privileged members of society.
He said that the interim IGP should investigate multiple wrongful arrests and detentions in order to restore Nigerians’ trust and confidence in the force.
He urged the acting IGP to end unlawful arrests, extortion, and misuse of the Cybercrimes Act, which are now weapons police use to render illegal services to privileged people in the society.
Gbenga Aiku, while expressing concern about the country’s escalating insecurity, told WITHIN NIGERIA that the acting IGP should focus on core policing and domestic intelligence gathering to combat crime and terrorism.
According to Aiku, the interim IGP must ensure that all resources are shifted away from VIP protection and cops are relocated to risky zones.
He instructed the acting IGP to prioritize civil-dispute mediation in combating armed robbery, abduction, terrorism, and organized crime.
He also advised that the acting IGP must rebuild discipline and improve training for quality service delivery.
While encouraging the acting IGP not to engage in illicit promotions motivated by nepotism or favoritism, Aiku underlined the importance of implementing a transparent reward and punishment system to motivate personnel.
Lawal Sanjo, a crime-tech expert based in Osogbo, told WITHIN NIGERIA that the acting IGP should use technology to promote digitalization of crucial departments within the force.
According to Sanjo, the police should invest in technology that supports data analytics and intelligence networks in order to respond more quickly and intelligently.
He urged the acting IGP to modernize the entire police force and accommodate new digital ideas to enhance service delivery for public good.
