By Peter Dansu The appointment of Olatunji Ridwan Disu as Acting Inspector General of Police marks the climax of a policing career that has...
By Peter Dansu
The appointment of Olatunji Ridwan Disu as Acting Inspector General of Police marks the climax of a policing career that has spanned more than three decades, defined by operational discipline, intelligence-driven strategy and visible crime control achievements.
Born in Lagos and a native of Lagos Island Local Government Area of Lagos State, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as an Assistant Superintendent of Police. Since then, he has risen through the ranks, occupying several sensitive and high-profile positions across the country.
Before his emergence as Acting IGP, he served as Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, from February 2026. He previously headed the Special Protection Unit at the Force Headquarters in Abuja between March 2025 and February 2026, and also served with the FCT Police Command from October 2024 to March 2025.
Disu’s leadership profile was further strengthened during his tenure as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State from November 2023 to October 2024. Earlier, he served as Commissioner of Police, Administration and Intelligence, at the Force Intelligence Bureau, and as Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Intelligence Response Team, one of the Force’s most strategic tactical units.
He also held the position of Deputy Commissioner of Police, Administration Operations, at Force Headquarters in 2021.
Many Nigerians became familiar with his name during his time as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos from 2015 to 2021. Under his leadership, the unit gained both national and international recognition for tackling urban crime. In 2019, the squad was named the Most Outstanding Urban Crime Control Police Command in West and Central Africa.
Earlier in his career, Disu served in key operational roles including Officer in Charge of Anti-Kidnapping in Rivers State, Officer in Charge of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad in Ondo and Oyo States, and Divisional Police Officer in Ondo State. Between 1993 and 1998, he headed the Anti-Fraud Unit of the State Criminal Investigation Department in Katsina. In 1999, he served as Aide-De-Camp to former Lagos State Governor, Bola Tinubu.
Academically, Disu is well grounded. He holds a Master of Science in Entrepreneurship from the National Open University of Nigeria, a Master’s degree in Criminology, Security and Legal Psychology from Lagos State University, and a Master’s in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University. He also earned an Advanced Diploma in Forensic Investigation and Criminal Intelligence from the University of Lagos, as well as a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies and a Bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University.
His service has attracted numerous accolades. He was named Best Commissioner of Police of the Year at the 2024 Inspector General of Police Recognition Awards. In 2016, he received multiple honours, including Most Outstanding Police Operational Officer in West Africa and in Africa. The Crime Reporters’ Association of Nigeria named him Man of the Year in 2018. He is also regarded as one of the longest-serving and most effective Divisional Police Officers in Ondo State.
On the international stage, Disu led the first Nigerian Police contingent to the African Union Mission in Sudan in 2005, contributing to peacekeeping efforts in Darfur.
Outside core policing, he is an accomplished martial artist. A third dan black belt holder in judo, he serves as National Chairman of the Nigeria Police Judo Association and won a silver medal at the 2022 US Open Judo Championships.
He is a member of several professional bodies, including the International Academy of Forensics, the National Association of Investigative Specialists in the United States, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management, and the International Association of Chiefs of Police.
With extensive operational experience, academic credentials and a record of award-winning service, Olatunji Ridwan Disu assumes office as Acting Inspector General of Police at a time of heightened security expectations, with many looking to his leadership to shape the next phase of policing in Nigeria.
No comments