The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, on Friday welcomed the appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector General of Police, calling it a long-overdue leadership change for the Nigeria Police Force.

Speaking in Akure, the Secretary-General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, also renewed the organisation’s longstanding demand for the establishment of state police, describing it as crucial for Nigeria’s internal security architecture.

Ebiseni noted that the leadership change was necessary in light of controversies surrounding the outgoing IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, and expressed confidence in Disu’s ability to lead the force effectively.

On Egbetokun’s future, Ebiseni remarked: “We were told he resigned. It seems to be a familiar pattern of President Tinubu to announce resignations of officials he wants to redeploy or engage in other national roles. We wait and see.”

Highlighting his familiarity with Disu, Ebiseni said: “Tunji Disu is a good appointment. He served in Ondo State as a top crime-fighting officer, and I have known the noble and well-respected Disu family from Lagos Island since my secondary school days.”

On state police, he added: “From Afenifere’s perspective, Nigeria’s internal security will be better enhanced by a multi-level police structure.

We have always championed the institution of state and community police instead of a single command structure, which undermines our federal arrangement. State police will ensure comprehensive security, particularly in largely ungoverned territories that serve as hideouts for terrorist groups.