… Pushes Decentralised Policing Nationwide
…Vows Accountability, Human Rights Compliance
Fawaz Adebisi
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, on Wednesday inaugurated an eight-member committee to oversee the implementation of state police across the country, marking his first major policy move since his confirmation as the 23rd indigenous IGP.
The committee, chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, is expected to coordinate the framework for decentralised policing and drive the execution of the new police chief’s reform agenda.
Disu formally engaged senior officers at the Force Headquarters days after the Nigeria Police Council unanimously ratified his appointment, paving the way for his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.
Addressing the police hierarchy, the IGP declared that leadership was “not about position but responsibility,” urging officers to uphold professionalism, discipline and accountability in their operations nationwide.
He stressed that the exercise of authority must be guided by restraint and respect for citizens’ rights.
“Authority is strongest when exercised with restraint,” Disu said, adding that every Nigerian must be treated with dignity, fairness and justice, irrespective of status or background.
As part of measures to strengthen internal accountability, the police chief directed that the Public Complaint Unit and the X-Squad be empowered to operate independently, signalling a tougher stance on misconduct within the Force.
On the proposed state police structure, Disu said decentralisation would allow sub-national governments to play more active roles in security management, enhancing response time and community-based intelligence gathering.
The inauguration of the committee comes amid renewed debate over the viability of state policing as Nigeria grapples with rising cases of kidnapping, banditry and communal attacks in different parts of the country.
Disu was appointed acting IGP on February 24, 2026, following the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun.
His appointment followed a meeting between the former police chief and the President at the Presidential Villa and was later unanimously endorsed by the Police Council.
He is expected to be formally sworn in as substantive Inspector-General during a meeting of the Federal Executive Council.
The state police initiative forms part of broader security sector reforms being championed by the Tinubu administration to address growing security challenges and improve policing effectiveness at the grassroots level.
Observers say the success of the committee’s work will be pivotal in shaping the future of Nigeria’s security architecture.
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