10 Things To Know About The Judo Champion Appointed Acting IGP

The appointment of Olatunji Disu as acting Inspector General of Police has brought renewed attention to one of the Nigeria Police Force’s most visible operational commanders.

A career officer, his rise through the ranks has been closely followed within security circles.

His elevation follows the resignation of Inspector-General of Police Kayode Egbetokun, who left office after a meeting with President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, beginning a professional journey that has now stretched beyond three decades.

Over the years, he has served in a range of operational and administrative roles, steadily building a reputation as an officer shaped by field experience rather than desk assignments.

Here are 10 things you should know about Disu.

Birth

Disu was born in Lagos Island, Lagos State, on the 13th of April 1966.

Education

Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master’s Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad, including Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana; Internet Fraud Training at Cambridge University, UK; Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos; Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos, amongst others.

IRT boss

The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, appointed Disu as the Head of the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), on August 2, 2021 following the suspension of DCP Abba Kyari.

Disu is a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State where he led a team that made several arrests of criminals, especially fraudsters.

DOPs’ head

He was at a time the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

2ic SCIID in Rivers

Disu had also previously served at the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Rivers State, as the second in command of the unit.

Commissioner of Police, Rivers, FCT

He later served as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State and subsequently in the Federal Capital Territory, two commands that require both tactical firmness and political sensitivity.

His postings to these strategic jurisdictions reflected the confidence of the police hierarchy in his capacity to manage high pressure security environments.

Peace Keeping team lead

Member of police bodies

He is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel Management, amongst other professional bodies.

Judo Champion

Four years ago, one of the headlines that dominated sports sections of newspapers was the 33rd US Open which held in Brookline, Massachusetts. The veteran Judoka won a silver medal in that competition which held in the United States.

With his elevation to Assistant Inspector General, Disu joins the upper command structure of the force at a time when the country faces persistent security challenges and growing public demand for reform, professionalism and accountability within the police system. (Daily trust)