By Festus Fifen

President Bola Tinubu has sworn in Tunji Disu as the 23rd indigenous Inspector-General of Police (IGP) at the Council Chambers of the Aso Rock Presidential Villa Abuja.

The ceremony which was held alongside the administration of oaths of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two from the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC) took place immediately before the Federal Executive Council Meeting in Abuja.

Speaking to State House Correspondents immediately after the swearing in ceremony, the new IGP addressed potential protests amid global tensions while affirming that state police has come to stay.

IGP Disu vowed to prioritise officers’ welfare in line with global best practices

In his words, “ we are aware of what is happening everywhere in the world, that is what we call intelligence policing. Our ears are to the ground. We know we have groups of people, different kinds of Islamic sects in Nigeria. We have those who pay allegiance to this eastern part of the world as well. So we know if anything happens in the eastern part of the world, the repercussion will come to us. So we are putting all necessary actions. You can see policemen on patrol, and most importantly, we are talking to them to ensure that they do not take laws and orders into their hands.”

On his policing approach, Disu said “I made up my mind to ensure that my officers get to know that we are working for the people of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the citizens of the country are our bosses.”

Pressed on a committee he set up earlier in the day to review state police from the Nigeria Police perspective, Disu explained: “We don’t want it to seem as if others are taking decisions, and we, the most important people concerned, did not do anything. We want to ensure that the best thing is done. State police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed. The police are not afraid. Our jobs are not being taken. It’s just an issue of partnership.”

On longstanding welfare concerns for officers, he stressed: “It is somebody that is well motivated that will put in their best. Our jobs are very difficult. Some few years ago, when I was Commissioner of Police FCT, I was bold enough to announce that we lost 140 policemen just in a year. So the jobs are difficult. Men sleep out. A lot of people don’t have time to go back to their families. So the welfare is very, very vital, and I’m lucky to be working with a president who has made up his mind to give us whatever we want.”