President Bola Tinubu has appointed Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP), succeeding Kayode Egbetokun, who resigned on Tuesday.
![](https://thenigerialawyer.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/11/TheNigerialawyer-WhatsApp-Channel1.jpg")
By tradition and hierarchy within the Nigeria Police Force, eight Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) who are senior to Disu may be required to retire to pave the way for his confirmation as substantive IGP.
Mr Disu’s appointment came at a time when he was close to reaching the mandatory retirement age prescribed by law. He was born on April 13, 1966, and enlisted in the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.
Under existing police regulations, officers are required to retire upon reaching 60 years of age or completing 35 years of service, whichever comes first. Had he not been appointed IGP, Mr Disu would have reached the age limit in 48 days.
Although he will only mark 35 years in service in May 2027, his elevation to the position of IGP means he is now expected to serve a four-year tenure, unless he resigns or is removed by the president.
Mr Disu was promoted to the position of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) of Police in March 2025, and became IGP less than a year after that promotion.
Before his appointment as IGP, he was an AIG in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos. He was posted to Lagos earlier this month.
Before his posting to Lagos, Mr Disu was attached to the Special Protection Unit (SPU), Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The following eight Deputy Inspectors-General of Police may be required to retire to pave the way for Disu’s confirmation:
1. Frank Mba
Frank Mba began his policing career as an Inspector and rose steadily through the ranks. He was promoted to Assistant Superintendent of Police in 1999, Deputy Superintendent of Police in 2003, Superintendent of Police in 2008, Chief Superintendent of Police in 2012, Assistant Commissioner of Police in 2014, Deputy Commissioner of Police in 2018, and Commissioner of Police in December 2020.
In March 2023, he was decorated as an Assistant Inspector-General of Police. A three-time Force Public Relations Officer, Mba received the UN Medal for his service with the United Nations Mission in Liberia between 2006 and 2007.
2. Mohammed Gumel
Mohammed Gumel serves as Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Force Intelligence Department at the Force Headquarters, Abuja. He assumed duty in late December 2025.
A seasoned officer known for championing community policing, he previously served as Commissioner of Police and was recognised as Community Policing Advocate of the Year in 2024. He holds FIPMA and psc designations.
3. Adebola Hamzat
Adebola Hamzat is the DIG in charge of the Department of Logistics and Supply. Appointed in March 2025, he oversees procurement, works, housing, and logistics for the entire Force.
He previously served as AIG Zone 16, Yenagoa, Commissioner of Police for Oyo State, and AIG in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit. He is from Ifelodun LGA of Kwara State.
4. Yahaya Abubakar
Yahaya Abubakar heads the Department of Finance and Administration at Force Headquarters. Appointed after promotion by the Police Service Commission in 2024, he oversees budgeting, financial management, and administrative processes of the Force.
He previously served as Assistant Inspector-General and Zone Commander.
5. Basil Idegwu
Basil Idegwu leads the Department of Research and Planning. Appointed in March 2025, he is responsible for strategic planning, policy formulation, and operational efficiency.
He holds a PhD in Peace and Security Studies and focuses on modernising policing standards.
6. Bzigu Kwazhi
Bzigu Kwazhi is the DIG in charge of Operations. He coordinates nationwide operational activities, crime prevention strategies, and joint security operations.
In 2025, he led high-level security operations in Plateau and Adamawa States. He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Osun and Akwa Ibom States.
7. Idris Abubakar
Idris Abubakar joined the Force as a cadet ASP on May 18, 1992. He hails from Garko LGA of Kano State.
He holds a B.Sc. in Education from Usmanu Danfodiyo University, Sokoto, an M.Sc. in Psychology, and a PhD in Psychology from the University of Abuja.
8. Adebowale Williams
Adebowale Williams serves as DIG in charge of Information and Communication Technology. He oversees the Force’s technological infrastructure and digital transformation initiatives at Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The same scenario played out with Mr Egbetokun, who was appointed the 22nd IGP on June 19, 2023, with his substantive appointment confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.
Appointed IGP at age 58, Mr Egbetokun was initially set to retire on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the compulsory age of 60. However, following amendments to the Police Act by the National Assembly, IGPs are now permitted to complete their full four-year tenure unless they resign or are removed by the president.
Mr Egbetokun was expected to remain in office until October 31, 2027, before his resignation on Tuesday.
Who Is Tunji Disu?
Mr Disu is a career police officer with more than three decades of experience across multiple operational and leadership roles in the police.
Born on April 13, 1966, on Lagos Island, he began his career in law enforcement when he joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992.
He holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University (LASU), along with a postgraduate diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies and two master’s degrees — one in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University and another in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from LASU.
Mr Disu has undergone extensive professional training both within Nigeria and abroad, including programmes on small arms smuggling, internet fraud, strategic leadership, forensic and criminal intelligence.
His police career includes serving as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in various states, leading special units such as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) and anti-kidnapping teams, and acting as second-in-command of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Rivers State.
In 2005, he led the first Nigerian police contingent on the African Union Mission in Sudan (AMIS), serving as acting Chief of Staff in Darfur.
Between 2015 and 2021, Mr Disu commanded the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), a police unit which received accolades for reducing crime in Lagos.
In 2021, he was appointed head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a position previously held by disgraced super cop Abba Kyari, and later served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Abuja.
Get your copy today and take the first step toward financial growth:👉 https://selar.co/4f16676016
_______________________________________________________________________
ARTIFICIAL INTELLIGENCE FOR LAWYERS: A COMPREHENSIVE GUIDE
Reimagine your practice with the power of AI “...this is the only Nigerian book I know of on the topic.” — Ohio Books Ltd
Authored by Ben Ijeoma Adigwe, Esq., ACIArb (UK), LL.M, Dip. in Artificial Intelligence, Director, Delta State Ministry of Justice, Asaba, Nigeria.
Bonus:
Get a FREE eBook titled “How to Use the AI in Legalpedia and Law Pavilion” with every purchase.
How to Order: 📞 Call, Text, or WhatsApp: 08034917063 | 07055285878 📧 Email: benadigwe1@gmail.com 🌐 Website: www.benadigwe.com
Ebook Version: Access directly online at: https://selar.com/prv626
________________________________________________________________________ The Law And Practice Of Redundancy In Nigeria: A Practitioner’s Guide, Authored By A Labour & Employment Law Expert Bimbo Atilola
_______________________________________________________________________
[A MUST HAVE] Evidence Act Demystified With Recent And Contemporary Cases And Materials
