Good riddance to Egbetokun: History beckons on Disu to prove his mettle, make difference

Egbetokun handing over to Disu

Okechukwu Nwanguma

The news of the removal of Kayode Egbetokun as Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police comes as a relief to many Nigerians. His continued stay in office after attaining the statutory retirement age and years of service limits, enabled by a controversial amendment to the Police Act, represented a troubling precedent in the governance of the Nigeria Police Force.

The decision to extend his tenure – despite widespread objections – undermined institutional integrity, damaged morale within the rank and file, and deepened public distrust. His tenure was marked by declining police welfare, weak accountability for misconduct, poor morale among personnel, and erosion of public confidence.

Accountability mechanisms were neglected. Transparency suffered. Allegations of serious human rights violations persisted without credible redress. The Nigeria Police Force deserves better leadership and firmer commitment to reform than it experienced during this extended and controversial period.

History beckons on Disu
The reported appointment of Olatunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police offers a moment of cautious optimism.

RULAAC has had cause, over the years, to publicly commend Disu’s professional disposition, humane approach to policing, integrity, and responsiveness – particularly during his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos. Under his leadership, the RRS demonstrated prompt response to distress calls and maintained a record notably free of allegations of brutality or extrajudicial killings.

At a time when aggressive and abusive policing tactics were commonplace in many formations, Disu stood out for a policing model that combined firmness with restraint, operational effectiveness with compassion.

However, the office he now assumes is structurally constrained. As RULAAC has consistently maintained, the Nigeria Police is highly centralised, politically controlled, underfunded, and burdened by systemic corruption. No individual – however competent – can succeed without confronting these institutional weaknesses.

The tasks before the new IGP
Disu’s job is clearly cut out for him.

Restore Police morale through welfare reform

He inherits a police force with low morale due to poor welfare – both in service and post-service – inadequate equipment, delayed entitlements, and poor working conditions.

Improving welfare is not merely a labour issue; it is central to humanising the police and combating corruption. A poorly motivated and financially insecure police workforce is more vulnerable to extortion and misconduct. Addressing welfare is therefore foundational to reform.

Confront impunity and restore accountability

One of the urgent credibility tests before the new IGP is the unresolved allegations of organ harvesting by operatives of the RRS/Anti-Kidnapping Unit in Awkuzu, Anambra State.

Despite assurances that the investigation report ordered by the previous Inspector-General would be made public, the report remains undisclosed. Continued secrecy undermines public confidence.

One of the first critical official steps RULAAC calls upon Disu to take is to direct the Force Public Relations Officer to immediately publish the investigation report. Transparency in this matter will send a strong signal that impunity will not be tolerated under his watch.

Safeguard electoral integrity ahead of 2027

Disu assumes office at a sensitive point in Nigeria’s political trajectory, with the 2027 general elections approaching.

The Nigerian Police must maintain strict professional neutrality and avoid partisanship in election security management. The Force must not be used as a political tool. Electoral policing must prioritise citizens’ rights, lawful assembly, and equal protection under the law.

A moment of reckoning
Leadership changes provide opportunities for institutional reset – but only if accompanied by courage and principled action.

RULAAC believes that there are good officers within the Nigerian Police who strive to rise above systemic constraints. Disu has previously demonstrated such a disposition. The question now is whether he can sustain and scale those values at the highest level of command.

We wish him success.

We pledge civil society support for genuine reform efforts.

And we urge him to remain faithful to the professional standards and humane policing model for which he has earned commendation in the past.

History beckons. The difference must now be made.

Nwanguma, Executive Director
Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC)