Acting IGP Disu Declares War on Impunity, Corruption

By Barth Ikiebe in Abuja.

The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has declared that his foremost priority is to reorient officers of the Nigeria Police Force to recognise citizens as their “boss,” while pledging to end impunity and enforce a zero-tolerance stance on corruption within the force.

Disu made this known on Wednesday, describing the elevation as unexpected and deeply emotional.

He expressed gratitude to the President for what he described as the “magnanimity” to find him worthy of leading the police force, noting that Tinubu’s public commendation of his past assignments and achievements nearly moved him to tears.

“The appointment means a lot to me. It means a lot to me because I have the love of my profession, the love of the country, and it came at a time I was not expecting it. That makes me give thanks to the President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity in seeing me fit to be appointed as the Inspector General of Police,” he noted.

According to Disu, the President’s remarks reflected close monitoring of officers’ performances across the country and amounted to a direct challenge to deliver results.

“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me and almost brought me to tears.

“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for and ensure that I bring peace and recognition to the country,” he said.

Outlining his immediate agenda, the IGP said his first engagement would be a lecture to officers to emphasise that policing cannot succeed without public cooperation.

“My top priority is one of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men. I’m going to talk to them and let them know that the citizens of the country are the boss. It’s very important for them to know that no police force anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public. I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration because people who are motivated put in their best,” he assured.

He also pledged to prioritise the welfare of officers, arguing that motivation is key to improved performance.

“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train and encourage them to follow human rights standards. I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance for corruption and, most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” Disu said.

Addressing the country’s security challenges, including banditry and insurgency, Disu acknowledged the efforts of officers currently battling insecurity nationwide, describing them as hardworking.

“All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make things better,” he added.