A civic advocacy group, SpeakUp Collective Nigeria (SCN), has described the appointment of Tunji Disu as Acting Inspector-General of Police (IGP) as timely, lawful, and necessary to sustain security stability in Nigeria.
In a statement signed by its National President, Otunba Abdulfalil Abayomi Odunowo, the group said the decision followed legal provisions, institutional considerations, and national interest rather than sentiment or speculation.
SCN noted that official records show Disu and several serving Deputy Inspectors-General of Police joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as part of the same professional cohort with serial numbers beginning with “AP417.”
The group explained that although officers may share the same enlistment date, retirement is governed by statutory provisions requiring officers to retire at age 60 or after 35 years of pensionable service, whichever comes first.
It added that differences in dates of birth account for variations in retirement timelines among officers from the same enlistment batch.
According to SCN, Disu, who was born on April 13, 1966, ranks among the most senior and experienced officers in his cohort. The group noted that his promotion to Assistant Inspector-General of Police in March 2025 followed decades of operational service and leadership roles.
SCN also observed that the Nigeria Police Force is undergoing a leadership transition, with several Deputy Inspectors-General either due for retirement or expected to retire within the next 12 to 18 months.
The group warned that poor planning during this period could create a leadership vacuum, stressing that continuity within the command structure remains vital for operational planning and national security coordination.
“Leadership continuity in security institutions is not a luxury but a necessity,” the statement said, noting that appointing a senior officer would help maintain operational stability during the transition.
SCN highlighted Disu’s experience in commanding tactical and intelligence units, noting that his previous roles involved fighting violent crime, addressing urban security challenges, and coordinating complex law enforcement operations.
The group described his qualifications as practical experience gained through decades of field command and institutional service.
It maintained that the appointment of an Acting IGP is supported by law, noting that the President has constitutional and statutory powers under the Nigeria Police Act to appoint the Inspector-General of Police in the interest of national security and institutional stability.
SCN said Nigeria continues to face security challenges such as banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, and urban security pressures, which require experienced leadership at the helm of the Police Force.
The organisation warned that uncertainty in police leadership could undermine stability at a critical time.
It urged the public to view the appointment through the lens of institutional necessity, merit, and professional progression.
“Tunji Disu’s appointment represents continuity, experience and institutional discipline. It reflects a leadership decision based on merit and the need to protect national security,” the statement added.
