The appointment of Assistant Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu as the new Inspector-General of Police is expected to trigger the retirement of nine Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) senior to him in the hierarchy.

The affected DIGs currently head critical departments of the Nigeria Police Force, including Finance and Administration, Operations, Logistics and Supply, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Training and Development, Research and Planning, Information and Communication Technology, and the Force Intelligence Bureau.

Police sources said it is customary for senior officers to retire when a junior officer is elevated above them, similar to the practice in the military, although there have been instances where such officers chose to remain in service.

Meanwhile, sources disclosed that the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, was reportedly taken by surprise by his removal, having expressed confidence in overseeing policing arrangements ahead of the 2027 general elections.

However, insiders hinted that the alleged involvement of Egbetokun’s son in a controversial N100 million deal may have signalled the beginning of the end of his tenure. It was gathered that some close associates had warned him of possible consequences unless urgent steps were taken to address the matter.

In a move seen by observers as damage control, Egbetokun reportedly convened a meeting of retired former Inspectors-General of Police at the Force Headquarters on February 17 to seek support and reassure the President of his capacity to continue in office following the extension of his tenure by the National Assembly.

The meeting, held at the Louis Edet House, was attended by former IGPs Aliyu Attah, Sunday Ehindero, Mike Okiro, Ogbonna Onovo, Suleiman Abba and M.D. Abubakar, alongside members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other senior officers.

Sources identified DIGs likely to be affected by the development to include Frank Mba (Training and Development), Sadiq Idris Abubakar (FCID), Bzigu Yakubu Kwazi (Operations), Adebola Ayinde Hamzat (Logistics), Idegwu Basil Okuoma (Research), Mohammed Adamu Dankwara (Finance), Funsho Adegboye, and Fayoade Adegoke.

Disu, who will serve in an acting capacity pending confirmation in line with the Constitution, is a seasoned officer who has served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory. His appointment is for a four-year term under the provisions of the Police Act.

He holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University, as well as two Master’s degrees—Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University and Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University.

Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force in 1992 as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police and has attended several professional courses in Nigeria and abroad. He previously headed the Police Intelligence Response Team, appointed by former IGP Usman Alkali Baba in August 2021 after the suspension of Abba Kyari, and also served as commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State.