The decorated acting Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that the era of impunity in the Nigeria Police Force is over, vowing to enforce a regime of zero tolerance to corruption and human rights abuses.
Disu made the declaration on Wednesday shortly after President Bola Tinubu decorated him with his new rank at the State House, Abuja.
Speaking to State House correspondents after the ceremony, the new police chief outlined his priorities, emphasising that Nigerian citizens, not politicians, are the ultimate bosses of the police.
“I will let them (fellow policemen and women) know that the era of impunity is over.
“I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to follow human rights.
“I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption,” Disu stated.
He added, “Most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.”
The new IGP said one of his first actions would be to address officers across the country to reorient them on citizen-centred policing.
“One of the first lectures I’m going to have with my men, I’m going to talk to them, let them know that the citizen, the citizen of the country, is the boss.
“It’s very, very important for them to know that no police anywhere in the world can succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” he declared.
Disu revealed that the appointment came as an emotional surprise, particularly when President Tinubu detailed his career achievements during the decoration ceremony.
“The President mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I’ve worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as aa policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears,” he said.
The new IGP said Tinubu’s detailed knowledge of his career demonstrated the President’s hands-on approach to monitoring officers across the country.
“It shows the President took his time to monitor officers working everywhere in the country, and then it shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for, and ensure that I bring peace, recognition and calm to the country,” Disu stated.
On officer welfare, he pledged to prioritise motivation as a key to improved performance.
“I’m going to ensure that I take their welfare into consideration, because people who are motivated put in their best,” he said.
Addressing Nigeria’s security challenges, including banditry and insurgency, Disu expressed confidence in police officers nationwide.
“I know all police officers around have been doing their best. They are hardworking people.
“All I need to do is channel their morale and their thoughts to make anything better,” he stated.
For his part, the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun, who attended the decoration ceremony, expressed confidence in hissuccessor’s ability to lead the Force.
Egbetokun described Disu as someone with whom he shares “a unique history,” noting that both men benefited from President Tinubu’s mentorship dating back to his tenure as Lagos State Governor.
“I invested in likely successors in the Nigerian Police Force, and I’m happy that one of those that I’ve invested in has been found most suitable for the job,” Egbetokun stated.
He urged Disu to continue the reforms initiated during his tenure, including intelligence-led operations, inter-agency coordination, and dismantling criminal syndicates.
“He has been part of my administration from the beginning. He was my Principal Staff Officer, and he was the Commissioner of Police in Rivers and FCT.
“He was AIG in charge of my Special Protection Unit when Mr. President gave the order to withdraw police from VIP protection.
It was Disu whom I called upon to ensure that the presidential order was given full compliance, and he did it so well,” Egbetokun said.
The outgoing IGP added, “I have so much confidence that he would surpass what I have done.”
The decoration ceremony, which took place at 4:00 pm at the President’s office, had in attendance Chief of Staff to the President Femi Gbajabiamila, and other senior government officials.
Punch