The newly appointed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has outlined an ambitious reform agenda aimed at strengthening professionalism, accountability and community partnership within the Nigeria Police Force, as the outgoing police leadership formally handed over command with a call for continuity in institutional reforms.
Speaking during his inaugural address after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Disu described his elevation as a solemn responsibility rather than a moment for celebration, stressing that expectations from Nigerians remain high and that the real work of rebuilding trust and improving public safety begins immediately.
He thanked the President for the confidence reposed in him and pledged to safeguard lives and property while ensuring policing operations align with democratic principles and citizens’ expectations. The new police chief acknowledged the contributions of former Inspectors-General of Police, noting that his administration would build on existing institutional foundations while confronting persistent challenges such as public trust deficits, operational gaps, outdated systems and misconduct within parts of the Force.
Disu emphasised that his leadership would prioritise modern policing driven by intelligence, technology and evidence-based practices, while firmly addressing issues of accountability within the institution. He warned that impunity would no longer be tolerated, stressing that discipline and integrity must define policing at every rank. He also reaffirmed his commitment to strengthening community policing, describing public partnership as essential to effective law enforcement and sustainable security.
Addressing officers and men of the Force, the IGP reassured personnel that leadership would focus on improving welfare and working conditions while demanding professionalism, courage and compassion in service delivery. Drawing from his personal experience as a career officer, he noted that the realities of frontline policing would guide his decisions and leadership approach.
Earlier at the ceremony, the outgoing Inspector-General of Police delivered a farewell address reflecting on his tenure and the reforms undertaken during his time in office. He expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the opportunity to serve, describing the appointment as a constitutional responsibility to strengthen internal security at a defining moment in Nigeria’s history.
He noted that upon assuming office, the Force faced evolving threats including asymmetric violence, technologically enabled crimes and heightened civic expectations, which required decisive institutional recalibration. According to him, reforms focused on strengthening intelligence-led policing structures, expanding digital crime-tracking and forensic capabilities, improving inter-agency collaboration and enhancing operational readiness nationwide.
The former police chief stated that targeted security operations disrupted organised kidnapping networks and violent criminal syndicates while improving coordinated responses and restoring operational confidence in previously vulnerable communities. He added that officer welfare was prioritised through accelerated promotions, improved insurance coverage, housing initiatives and expanded training programmes aimed at boosting morale and professionalism.
He emphasised that institutional reform was pursued through transparency, discipline and measurable outcomes, noting that achievements recorded were the result of collective sacrifices by officers across the country, particularly those serving in high-risk environments.
Describing leadership in policing as custodial, the outgoing IGP said no individual owns the institution but holds it in trust for the nation. He expressed confidence in Disu’s competence and strategic capacity, urged him to consolidate ongoing reforms and sustain progress in modernisation, accountability and community-centred policing.
Appealing to Nigerians for continued cooperation with law enforcement agencies, he stressed that effective policing ultimately depend on trust between citizens and the police, noting that national security is strengthened when communities and institutions work together.
The ceremony marked both a transition of leadership and a reaffirmation of reform within the Nigeria Police Force, with Disu declaring that the occasion signified not the end of a ceremony but the beginning of renewed work toward building a professional, accountable and people-oriented police service capable of addressing Nigeria’s evolving security challenges.
