- as new IGP sets up implementation committee
There is hope on the horizon for the establishment of State Police as the new Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Olátúnjí Disu on Wednesday inaugurated an implementation committee for state police.
Disu had inaugurated the State Police Implementation Committee earlier before his swearing-in as the 23rd substantive police boss.
At the inauguration of the committee witnessed by top police officers at the police headquarters in Abuja, Disu had said that the decision is to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security architecture and improve community-based policing across the country.
He added that the task before the committee is timely and important, adding that Nigeria’s evolving security challenges require innovative thinking, strategic collaboration and bold reforms to make policing more responsive to local realities.
The IGP said the committee is expected to develop a workable framework through which state policing can operate in Nigeria without undermining the country’s national security structure.
It has four weeks to submit its report.
Disu stated that the committee’s responsibilities include reviewing existing policing models within and outside Nigeria, assessing community security needs, identifying potential risks and proposing an operational structure for the establishment and coordination of state police systems
Noting that the committee will also address key issues relating to recruitment procedures, training standards, resource allocation and the development of accountability and oversight mechanisms that will ensure professionalism and sustain public trust in the policing system, the IGP enthused that if properly designed and implemented, state policing will bring law enforcement closer to the people, enhance local knowledge of security dynamics and enable quicker responses to emerging threats within communities.
He insisted that decentralising certain policing responsibilities would allow state governments and local authorities to respond more effectively to security challenges within their jurisdictions, while the Federal Government focuses on broader national security priorities.
He also reassured officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force that the proposed state policing framework would not diminish the role of the federal police.
He said, “The Nigeria Police Force will continue to play its constitutional role as the primary national law enforcement institution responsible for maintaining internal security across the federation.”
He added that the reform would instead,
enhance efficiency by allowing the federal police to concentrate on complex and transnational crimes such as terrorism, organised crime, cybercrime, trafficking networks and other security threats that require national coordination.
Disu added, “The vision we seek is one of synergy, not competition; partnership, not duplication.”
He, therefore urged members of the committee to carry out their assignment with diligence, professionalism and patriotism, noting that the expectations of Nigerians are high and that the committee’s recommendations would play a crucial role in shaping the future of policing in the country.
Recall that many have been calling for state policing to further curb crime and criminality, especially at the state and local government levels.
The seven-man State Police Implementation Committee is led by Professor Olu Ogunsakin as chairman.
Meanwhile, following his confirmation as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP, by the Police Council on Monday, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Wednesday swore in Disu as the substantive IGP.
The swearing-in of the IGP was held at the Council Chambers, State House, Abuja.
The oath of office was administered on Disu at exactly 2:53 pm, following the reading of his citation by the State House Director of Information and Public Relations, Mr Abiodun Oladunjoye.
In attendance at the ceremony were Vice President Kashim Shettima; the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, PSC, retired Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Hashimu Argungu, Tunji Olaopa, family members of the IGP, cabinet members, other guests and other dignitaries.
Also in attendance were the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume; the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu; the Chief of Staff, Femi Gbajabiamila; the Minister of Police Affairs, Senator Ibrahim Gaidam; the Federal Capital Capital, FCT, Minister, Nyesom Wike, and the Head of Service, Mrs Esther Walson-Jack.
President Tinubu arrived at the Council Chambers at 2:48 pm, after which the National Anthem was rendered, followed by the presentation of citations for the appointees.
Immediately after Disu’s swearing-in, the President also swore in newly appointed commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission, RMAFC and the Federal Civil Service Commission, FCSC.
The ceremony preceded the first meeting of the Federal Executive Council, FEC of the year, which began at 03:01 pm.
The FCSC officials sworn-in include Prof. Ngbea Gabriel – Benue and Omoregie Idahagbon – Edo.
RMAFC commissioners sworn-in were Abubakar Wamakko -Sokoto; Senator Marafa Abba -Taraba; Ahmed Waziri – Adamawa; Hadizatu Mustapha -Borno; Helen Bob – Bayelsa and Oladele Gboyega – Osun.
Disu’s swearing-in as substantive IGP follows the unanimous endorsement and confirmation of his appointment by the Nigeria Police Council on Monday.
The Special Adviser to the President on Information and Strategy, Bayo Onanuga, said that the governor of Lagos State Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu spoke glowingly about Disu during Monday’s Police Council meeting, commending him for his exemplary services, particularly during his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos between 2015 and 2021, where he earned recognition for excellence in crime control.
Governor of Nasarawa State, Abdullahi Sule, also commended the President’s choice, noting that Disu’s appointment was based on his excellent career record.
FCT Minister and former governor of Rivers State, Wike lauded Disu’s professionalism, recalling his service in Rivers State as Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department and anti-kidnapping unit between 2014 and 2015.
Governor of Enugu State, Peter Mbah seconded the motion endorsing the appointment during Monday’s Council meeting.
Disu’s confirmation comes barely a week after President Tinubu appointed him acting IGP following the resignation of Kayode Egbetokun on February 23, 2026.
Although the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun officially cited “family issues that require his personal attention” in his resignation letter, it was widely reported that Egbetokun was summoned to the Presidential Villa and asked to step down over his resistance to the President’s directive to withdraw police officers from VIP protection duties, his opposition to state policing, and alleged vindictive conduct toward colleagues.
Disu, 59, was born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State and joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a Cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police.
He holds multiple qualifications in public administration, forensic investigation, criminology, security, legal psychology and entrepreneurship.
Before his appointment, Disu had served as Assistant Inspector-General of Police, AIG, in charge of the Special Protection Unit and the Force CID Annex in Lagos.
Like his predecessor, Disu served under President Tinubu during his tenure as governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007. While Egbetokun was the Chief Security Officer, Disu served as Aide-de-Camp.
During his decoration as acting IGP last week, President Tinubu charged him to “make the police better than you met it,” emphasising the need to strengthen discipline, enhance inter-agency collaboration, and restore public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
In his response, Disu pledged to end the era of impunity within the Force and enforce zero tolerance for corruption and human rights abuses.
The Hope
