Abuja, March 4, 2026 – In one of his first major official actions since assuming office, the newly confirmed Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has inaugurated a high-powered eight-member committee tasked with overseeing the implementation of state policing and shaping a renewed vision for law enforcement across Nigeria.
The committee's formation marks a significant step toward decentralizing policing in the country, a long-debated reform aimed at addressing Nigeria's diverse and escalating security challenges. The move comes shortly after Disu's appointment was unanimously ratified by the Nigeria Police Council, paving the way for his formal swearing-in by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Presidential Villa.
Disu, the 23rd indigenous IGP, held his inaugural meeting with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force on Wednesday, March 4, 2026. During the session, he emphasized that leadership in the Force is a call to duty and responsibility rather than merely a position of rank. He underscored the need for professionalism, accountability, discipline, and restraint in exercising authority.
"Leadership is not about position but responsibility," Disu told the top hierarchy of the Force. He stressed that operations in every command must be guided by these principles, warning that human rights violations would no longer be tolerated. "All Nigerians must be treated with dignity and fairness, regardless of their social or political status," he added. The IGP further declared that justice and respect for the rule of law would define policing under his tenure.
To bolster transparency and internal discipline, Disu announced reforms to strengthen oversight mechanisms. He directed that the Public Complaints Unit and the X-Squad be empowered to operate with greater independence, ensuring they can effectively monitor and address misconduct within the ranks without undue interference.
A central highlight of the address was Disu's announcement of the State Police Implementation Committee. Chaired by Professor Olu Ogunsakin, a renowned expert in police studies and currently the Director-General of the National Institute for Police Studies, the committee comprises eight senior members drawn from strategic areas of policing and policy expertise.
The committee is charged with developing comprehensive policy frameworks, operational guidelines, and coordination mechanisms for state police structures. Disu instructed members to propose frameworks covering critical areas such as training, recruitment, resource allocation, funding models, oversight, and inter-governmental collaboration. This is intended to ensure that any decentralized policing arrangement aligns with national security objectives while responding to region-specific threats.
Disu highlighted the rationale for state policing, noting that security challenges in Nigeria vary significantly across regions—from banditry and kidnapping in the North-West to militancy in the Niger Delta and urban crime in the South. He argued that decentralizing police functions would enable state and local authorities to play more active roles in safeguarding their communities, fostering quicker responses and greater community involvement.
"It is my greatest privilege to formally inaugurate this Committee on State Policing. The task before this committee is both significant and timely, as it speaks directly to the demand to strengthen Nigeria’s internal security and ensure that policing remains responsive to the realities of our communities," Disu stated during the inauguration.
The development aligns with ongoing national discussions on constitutional amendments to accommodate state police, a proposal that has gained traction under President Tinubu's administration amid persistent insecurity. Previous IGPs and security experts have advocated for such reforms, citing the limitations of the centralized federal police structure in effectively tackling localized threats.
Disu's swift action on this front has been widely noted as a bold first step in his leadership. His appointment followed the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, with Disu initially serving in an acting capacity from late February 2026 before the Police Council's endorsement on March 2, 2026. The Council, chaired by President Tinubu and including all 36 state governors and the FCT Minister, provided unanimous support, reflecting broad political consensus on his suitability.
Background on Disu reveals a career spanning over three decades in the Nigeria Police Force. Born on April 13, 1966, he rose through the ranks, serving in various investigative and operational roles before his elevation. His brief tenure as acting IGP began after Egbetokun's exit, and his substantive confirmation came amid expectations for renewed vigor in police reforms.
The inauguration of the committee has sparked reactions from stakeholders. Security analysts view it as a concrete move toward fulfilling long-standing calls for police decentralization, while critics caution that implementation will require careful legislative backing, funding mechanisms, and safeguards against potential abuse by state governments.
Professor Ogunsakin's appointment as chairman is seen as strategic, given his academic and institutional experience in police training and policy. The committee is expected to deliver actionable recommendations that could inform constitutional reviews or executive policies on policing.
Disu's emphasis on human rights and internal accountability also signals an intent to rebuild public trust in the Force, which has faced criticism over extrajudicial actions, corruption, and inefficiency in recent years. By empowering independent units like the X-Squad, the IGP aims to entrench discipline from within.
As the committee commences its work, all eyes will be on its outputs and how they translate into tangible changes in Nigeria's policing architecture. With insecurity remaining a top national concern, the success of this initiative could play a pivotal role in enhancing community safety and national stability ahead of future electoral cycles.
This development underscores the Tinubu administration's priority on security sector reform, building on earlier efforts to modernize the police through equipment upgrades, welfare improvements, and community policing initiatives.
