Meet Tunji Disu, the ‘Super Cop’ tasked by Tinubu to crush Nigeria’s insecurity

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In a swift and decisive move that has redefined the nation’s security landscape, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has turned to one of the Nigeria Police Force’s most cerebral and decorated officers, AIG Tunji Disu, to take the mantle as the new Inspector-General of Police (IGP).

Following the removal of Kayode Egbetokun, Disu’s appointment is being viewed by security analysts as a “strategic pivot” toward intelligence-led policing. As he prepares to lead a force of over 370,000 officers, the mandate is clear: Crush the rising tide of insecurity and restore the dignity of the Nigerian Police.

But who is the man behind the “Super Cop” moniker? Here is an in-depth look at the officer tasked with securing the giant of Africa.

Tunji Disu is not your conventional police officer. A graduate of English Education from Lagos State University (LASU), Disu holds a Master’s degree in Public Administration and another in Criminology. This academic background has long defined his approach to law enforcement—one that prioritizes intellect over raw force.

Before reaching the pinnacle of the force, Disu gained national acclaim as the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Lagos. Under his watch, the RRS became a model for modern policing in Africa. He introduced:

Digital Responsiveness: Utilizing social media to track crimes and engage with citizens in real-time.
Proactive Patrols: Moving away from “checkpoint policing” to mobile, visibility-driven security.
Public Trust: Building a rapport with Lagosians that significantly reduced cases of police-civilian friction.
Perhaps the most telling moment of his career came in 2021. Following the high-profile suspension of Abba Kyari, Disu was tapped to lead the Intelligence Response Team (IRT). He was essentially brought in to “clean the house.”

Under his leadership, the IRT maintained its reputation for cracking high-profile kidnapping and murder cases while shedding the image of brutality and corruption that had previously dogged the unit. He proved that an elite squad could be both lethal to criminals and respectful of human rights.

Disu’s expertise is backed by international training. He is an alumnus of several prestigious programs, including:
- Interpol training on cybercrime and counter-terrorism.
- The International Association of Chiefs of Police (IACP).
- Specialized training in the United Kingdom on advanced investigation techniques.
President Tinubu’s choice of Disu signals a departure from the “old school” methods. The new IGP is expected to hit the ground running with three primary objectives:
1. Harnessing Technology: Expanding the use of drones, facial recognition, and digital intelligence to track bandits and kidnappers to their dens.
2. Community Connection: Implementing a true community policing model where the “Police is truly the friend of the people.”
3. Internal Sanitization: Tackling the welfare of the rank-and-file to ensure that the new national minimum wage translates into a professional, bribe-free police force.
As Tunji Disu steps into the shoes of the 23rd Inspector-General of Police, the expectations of 200 million Nigerians are sky-high. Known for his calm demeanor but firm hand, the “Super Cop” is no longer just solving individual crimes—he is now responsible for the peace of a nation.