IGP Tunji Disu: A New Sheriff in Town -By Tunji Owusu

Leadership matters. In policing, it matters even more. The appointment of Tunji Disu as the Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force comes at a very important time in our nation’s history. Nigeria faces serious security challenges. Citizens want safety. They want professionalism. They want results. Above all, they want a police force they can trust. In Tunji Disu, many Nigerians believe they see a leader prepared for this moment.

Tunji Disu is widely regarded as a rare breed. He is a tested and trusted police officer who has proved his mettle over the years. His rise to the highest office in the Force is not by accident. It is the product of years of hard work, discipline, sacrifice, and consistent performance. He did not emerge from the comfort of offices alone. He emerged from the field, where real policing happens.

Throughout his career, Disu has earned a reputation as a dependable and operationally sound officer. He has handled difficult assignments and delivered results. He has led men in challenging situations. He has confronted crime not from a distance but at close range. This is why many who know him describe him as a man who understands policing in its true form.

Trust is not given. It is earned. Disu has earned that trust. His superiors trusted him with responsibility. His colleagues trusted his judgment. His subordinates trusted his leadership. This trust was built over time, through conduct, courage, and competence. He has shown that he can lead, and more importantly, that he can lead effectively.

He is not only experienced; he is also operationally minded. This is very important in policing. An operationally minded leader understands the realities on the ground. He understands the risks officers face. He understands the urgency of responding to crime. He understands that policing is not theory but action.

It is therefore not surprising that many observers have welcomed his appointment with optimism. Some have even said this is the first time in recent years that the Force has an Inspector-General who truly “knows his onions.” This statement reflects confidence in his ability and experience. It reflects belief in his readiness to lead.

Many have also compared his operational style to that of Tafa Balogun, under whose leadership the Force was known for strong operational presence. Such comparisons are significant. They suggest that Nigerians expect firmness, professionalism, and decisive leadership. They expect a leader who understands the job from the ground up. They expect a leader who is not afraid to act.

His performance as Commissioner of Police in Rivers State remains one of the strongest testaments to his capacity. At a time when the state faced serious security challenges and political tension, Disu restored law and order through firm and professional policing. He neutralized many notorious criminals and strengthened public confidence in the police. Despite the intense political crisis in the state, he maintained strict neutrality and refused to allow himself or the Force to be used for political purposes. His professionalism, courage, and effectiveness earned him wide recognition, including being named the best Commissioner of Police of the year.

He later brought the same professionalism and operational excellence to the Federal Capital Territory, where he served as Commissioner of Police. The FCT is the seat of government and a sensitive security environment. Under his leadership, policing became more visible, more responsive, and more effective. His presence strengthened security and improved public confidence. He showed consistency, proving that his success in Rivers State was not by chance but by competence.

Tunji Disu is also a great sportsman. Sports build discipline, strength, and endurance. They teach patience and strategy. They teach teamwork and resilience. These qualities are important in policing. A sportsman understands the value of preparation. He understands the importance of persistence. He understands that success requires effort and consistency. These lessons are useful in leadership.

Beyond this, Disu is also a fantastic writer. This is not a common quality among police officers. Writing requires clear thinking. It requires reflection. It requires the ability to communicate ideas. A leader who writes is a leader who thinks deeply. A leader who thinks deeply is better prepared to solve problems. This intellectual strength adds value to his leadership.

Policing today is different from what it was in the past. Crime has become more complex. Criminals use technology. They operate across borders. They adapt quickly. To confront such threats, the police must also adapt. They must use intelligence. They must use technology. They must use strategy.

Tunji Disu understands this reality. He represents a modern approach to policing. He understands that force alone is not enough. Intelligence is essential. Planning is essential. Professionalism is essential. He understands that the police must earn the respect of the people.

Public trust is very important. Without trust, policing becomes difficult. Citizens must see the police as protectors, not as threats. They must see the police as partners in security. Leadership plays a key role in building this trust. The example set by the Inspector-General will influence the entire Force.

Discipline is also essential. A disciplined force is an effective force. Discipline ensures order. Discipline ensures professionalism. Discipline ensures respect for the law. Tunji Disu has built his career on discipline. He understands its importance. He understands that without discipline, the Force cannot achieve its mission.

Welfare is another important issue. Police officers face danger every day. They make sacrifices. They deserve support. They deserve proper equipment. They deserve proper training. They deserve proper welfare. A motivated officer performs better. A supported officer serves better. A respected officer acts better.

Tunji Disu understands the conditions under which officers work. He has been there. He has experienced it. This understanding will help him lead with empathy and fairness. It will help him make decisions that strengthen the Force.

Leadership is not about rank alone. It is about character. It is about integrity. It is about example. Tunji Disu’s career reflects these qualities. He has shown courage. He has shown professionalism. He has shown commitment to duty.

His appointment represents hope. Hope for reform. Hope for professionalism. Hope for progress. Nigerians want to see a stronger police force. They want to see a more effective police force. They want to see a more trusted police force.

The challenges ahead are real. They are serious. But so is the opportunity. With the right leadership, progress is possible. With the right leadership, trust can be restored. With the right leadership, the Force can become stronger.

Tunji Disu comes prepared. He comes experienced. He comes tested. He comes trusted. He comes as a rare breed. He comes as a sportsman with discipline. He comes as a writer with depth. He comes as an operational officer with courage.

In every sense, a new sheriff is in town. The task before him is great. The expectations are high. Nigerians are watching. Nigerians are hoping.

And Tunji Disu has the opportunity to make history.

Tunji Owusu is a Journalist and a Public Affairs Analyst