Disu Pledges Zero Tolerance for Corruption, Says Citizens Are ‘The Boss’

The newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has declared that restoring public trust, enforcing discipline within the Force, and prioritising citizens’ welfare will form the core of his leadership, as he assumes office at a critical moment for national security.

Speaking shortly after his appointment by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, Disu described the development as unexpected and deeply humbling. He said he was moved by the President’s remarks referencing his past assignments and professional record across various commands.

“It came at a time I was not expecting it,” he said, expressing gratitude to the President for finding him worthy of the role. According to him, the detailed acknowledgment of his service history signaled both recognition and a clear challenge to deliver results.

He noted that the President’s comments showed close monitoring of officers’ performance nationwide and underscored an expectation that he would replicate his past successes on a broader scale. “It shows the President was throwing a challenge at me to go out there and do what I’m known for,” he said, adding that his mandate is to help entrench peace, professionalism and public confidence in policing.

Outlining his immediate priorities, the new police chief said his first engagement would be with officers and men of the Force, where he intends to stress that citizens remain central to policing.

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

Disu pledged to prioritise the welfare and motivation of officers, noting that a well-supported workforce is better positioned to perform optimally. He also vowed to end impunity within the ranks and enforce strict adherence to human rights standards.

“The era of impunity is over,” he declared, promising a regime of zero tolerance for corruption. He said training and reorientation would be intensified to ensure officers understand the expectations under his leadership.

Addressing Nigeria’s prevailing security concerns, including insurgency, the IGP acknowledged the sacrifices and hard work of officers nationwide. He said his focus would be on boosting morale and strategically channeling efforts to confront evolving threats.

“All I need to do is to channel their morale and their thoughts to make everything better,” he said.

Disu’s appointment comes amid heightened public demand for reforms, accountability and more effective security coordination across the country.