President Bola Tinubu on Wednesday decorated newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, with his new rank at the State House, Abuja, formally ushering him into office just 48 days before his statutory retirement.

The ceremony, attended by senior government officials, marked Disu’s emergence as Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police, following the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, which was confirmed on Tuesday.

Disu, a 59-year-old native of Lagos State, was, until his elevation,n an Assistant Inspector-General of Police at the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID) Annex, Alagbon, Lagos.

He previously served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), and headed the Intelligence Response Team.

His appointment comes 48 days before his mandatory retirement at age 60 or after 35 years of service, as stipulated by police regulations.

However, a 2024 amendment to the Police Act provides a fixed four-year tenure for Inspectors-General of Police, a development that has reshaped succession dynamics within the Force.

Speaking with State House correspondents after his decoration, Disu described his appointment as unexpected and humbling, pledging to consolidate ongoing reforms and strengthen internal discipline.

“The appointment means a lot to me because of my love for the profession and for the country. I was not expecting it, and I thank the President for finding me worthy,” he said.

He noted that President Tinubu’s public acknowledgement of his service record was both emotional and challenging, describing it as a call to deepen professionalism and deliver improved security outcomes nationwide.

Outlining his priorities, the Acting IGP declared that citizens would remain central to his policing strategy.

“The citizen is the boss. No police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of the public,” he said.

He pledged to end impunity within the Force, enforce strict compliance with human rights standards and operate a zero-tolerance regime against corruption, while also prioritising officers’ welfare to boost morale and effectiveness.

On prevailing security challenges, including banditry and insurgency, Disu commended officers for their efforts and said his focus would be on strengthening coordination, intelligence-driven operations and sustained reforms.

In his remarks, outgoing IGP Egbetokun expressed gratitude to President Tinubu for the confidence reposed in him and voiced strong belief in Disu’s capacity to continue the reform agenda.

“I have so much confidence that he will surpass what I have done,” Egbetokun said, noting that Disu had been part of his leadership team and was deeply familiar with ongoing initiatives aimed at modernising and repositioning the Nigeria Police Force.

Egbetokun further said Disu was well positioned to continue ongoing reforms, including intelligence-driven policing, inter-agency coordination and dismantling criminal syndicates.

“I have so much confidence that he will surpass what I have done,” the former police chief added.