President Bola Tinubu has decorated Tunji Disu with his new rank as the acting Inspector-General of Police at the State House, Abuja, formally marking his elevation as Nigeria’s 23rd Inspector-General of Police.

His swearing-in ceremony, which preceded his decoration, was attended by senior government officials.

The new IGP succeeds Kayode Egbetokun, who resigned on Tuesday, citing personal family reasons.

Disu’s appointment is subject to confirmation by the Senate, in accordance with the provisions of the Police Act 2020.

A meeting of the Nigeria Police Council is also expected to consider his nomination for substantive appointment.

Speaking with journalists after his decoration as acting IGP, Disu said his appointment came to him as a surprise.

He said, “It came at a time I was not expecting it. That makes me give thanks to the president of the Federal Republic of Nigeria for his magnanimity in seeing me fit to be appointed as the Inspector General of police.

“The president mentioning a lot of activities about me, mentioning areas I have worked, mentioning successes I’ve recorded as a policeman, brought emotion to me, almost brought me to tears.

“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 code to the country.”

Tunji Disu, who said he would give priority to the welfare of his men to motivate them for optimal performance, however, said he was determined to curb impunity and corruption in the Police Force.

He said, “I will let them know that the era of impunity is over. I will ensure that I train them and encourage them to ensure they follow human rights.

“I will ensure that they know that I will try to follow a regime of zero tolerance to corruption, and most importantly, I’m going to drum it into them that we can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public.

“I will mention, importantly, again, the country is facing a particular problem now, issue of mandatory insurgency. I know all police officers around have been doing their best. They are hard working people. All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make anything better. I appreciate that.“

The Governor of Lagos State, Mr. Babajide Sanwo-Olu, has congratulated Mr. Olatunji Disu on his appointment as the acting Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu.

He said the elevation of Disu to the position of acting Inspector General of Police is well deserved considering his high level professionalism, competence and contribution to the Nigerian Police for over three decades.

Governor Sanwo-Olu, in a statement issued on Wednesday by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Mr. Gboyega Akosile, described Disu’s appointment as an honour to Lagos State.

The Governor expressed confidence that Disu will excel in his new position because he has the competence, capacity and track record of good leadership as a seasoned professional and administrator who has distinguished himself in several positions in the past.

He said: “I congratulate Mr. Olatunji Disu on his appointment as the Acting Inspector General of Police. His elevation to the position of number one police officer in Nigeria is an honour done to us in Lagos State.

“Disu has served and displayed exceptional leadership in the Nigeria Police Force for over three decades. He has a good track record of performance at the state, national and international levels in all the assignments given to him.

“Having worked in various commands, formations and departments of the police across the country, particularly as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) known as ‘Good Boys’ during his tenure in Lagos State, I believe in Disu’s capacity to deliver on the new mandate to secure Nigeria.

“I am confident that Disu will bring his wealth of experience, garnered over three decades, to bear on his new assignment to meet the expectations of Nigerians for a competent, accountable, transparent, courageous and trustworthy police force in the country.”

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has clarified that the ₦100 million paid into the personal bank account of Victor Egbetokun, son of the former Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, was a “banking error”.

According to the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, the transfer originated from the Anambra State Government’s security vote account in error.

The police said the payment, which sparked controversy online, was the result of a banking mistake and not a transfer linked to the Anambra State Government’s security vote account as alleged in a viral report.

The Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), Benjamin Hundeyin, gave the explanation recently on Politics Today, a programme on Channels Television.

According to him, Victor noticed the N100 million credit in his account and immediately took steps to have it reversed.

“You could remember when he (Omoyele Sowore) said N100 million was paid into the account of the son of the IGP. I called the son of the IGP immediately to know what was going on, and he explained,” Hundeyin said.

“He said he saw N100 million in his account, and he told his accounts officer to reverse the money immediately, which he did,” he added.

Hundeyin said Victor provided documentary proof that the funds were refunded, including a printed bank statement presented to the police authorities.

“He printed out his statement of account. He showed me. The young man was forced to close down that account. He has written a petition to the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) for that allegation to be investigated.”

The police spokesperson stated that the funds were traced to an error and were promptly reversed to the sender following the discovery.

He insisted that the transaction involved no misconduct and described the development as a simple case of mistaken payment.