The man Olatunji Rilwan Disu
When leadership of the Nigeria Police Force shifted in his direction, it marked the peak of more than three decades of active service. For Olatunji Rilwan Disu, now Acting Inspector-General
When leadership of the Nigeria Police Force shifted in his direction, it marked the peak of more than three decades of active service. For Olatunji Rilwan Disu, now Acting Inspector-General of Police, the journey has been steady and field-driven. His career has combined street operations, intelligence, administrative work, and academic growth, write Assistant News Editor PRECIOUS IGBONWELUNDU and GBENGA OMOKHUNU.
The jubilation that greeted his appointment as Acting Inspector General of Police (IGP) by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu did not come as a surprise. Even before the official announcement when the news was still considered a rumour, social media platforms were buzzing with congratulatory messages with many Nigerians expressing their confidence in the abilities of Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
Early life and career
Born on April 13, 1966, in Isale Eko, Lagos, Disu joined the Nigeria Police Force on May 18, 1992, as a cadet Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).
Disu’s educational journey laid a strong foundation for his policing career: His primary education started at Holy Cross Cathedral Primary School, Lagos and Mayflower Junior School in Ikenne, Ogun State. He proceeded to Pobuna Secondary Grammar School, Epe and St. Gregory’s College, Lagos where he graduated from in 1985 before gaining admission for his Bachelors in English Education at the Lagos State University (LASU) in 1990.
Disu has two master’s degrees, one in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University (2010) and another in Criminology, Security, and Legal Psychology from LASU (2022). Additionally, he holds a Postgraduate Diploma in International Relations and Strategic Studies from LASU and a Certificate in Personal Protection from the United Kingdom.
Policing duties
From the start, he gravitated toward operational assignments, building a reputation as a hands-on commander.
Disu began his investigative career as Officer in Charge of the Anti-Fraud Section at the State CID in Katsina from 1993 to 1998, a role that exposed him to complex financial crimes and detailed investigations.
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In 1999, he served as Aide-De-Camp to then Lagos State Governor, Bola Ahmed Tinubu, which gave him experience in executive security coordination and high-level administration.
International exposure
In 2005, he led Nigeria’s first police contingent to the African Union Mission in Darfur, Sudan and later served as acting chief of staff for the contingent, broadening his operational outlook and strengthened his leadership profile.
#TheGoodGuy or #Cityboy as he is fondly called, Disu served as Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Ondo State; commanded Special Anti-Robbery Squad units in Ondo and Oyo states, and led anti-kidnapping operations in Rivers State where he left indelible footprints in the hearts of the people.
Recasting urban policing
But his shot into the national limelight was during his tour of duty as Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS), an elite unit that had become nightmarish to Lagosians following their scandalous activities.
How Disu turned the RRS from a notorious and corrupt squad to the darling of Lagosians has remained subject of public discussion in the country and beyond.
Within months of assuming duty as Commander, RRS, Disu who held daily talks with his officers and men, convinced them to having a people-centred approach to policing such that the squad was christened #TheGoodGuys.
The RRS adopted hotspot patrol strategies and intelligence-led deployments. Officers were trained in emergency response and public engagement with several instances of RRS operaives helping people in distress including expectant women in labour or motorists with broken down vehicles.
Under his leadership, the unit earned regional recognition as a leading urban crime control team in West and Central Africa. Lagos also received commendation as one of Africa’s more security-conscious cities.
A crack detective, street commander
His passion for investigations also played a key role in the arrest of kidnap -kingpin, Evans, as it was Disu alongside the Lagos Police Command’s SARS unit that uncovered the gang’s criminal hideout in Igando, where suspects were rescued and firearms, phones and other exhibits recovered.
Those exhibits were subsequently sent to the Force Headquarters for tracking and details retrieved led to the raid on Evans’ Magodo, Lagos home and his eventual arrest.
From 2021 to 2023, Disu headed the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT), a specialised unit in charge of coordinated responses to organised criminal networks. He later moved to senior intelligence and administrative roles at Force Headquarters.
He served as Commissioner of Police (CP) Administration at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, and Principal Staff Officer (PSO) to the IGP before his redeployment to Rivers State as CP.
His performance in Rivers State earned him the Best Commissioner of Police (CP) of the Year at the 2024 IGP Recognition Awards. Disu also served as CP Federal Capital Territory (FTC) command.
Following his promotion as AIG, he was posted to the Special Protection Unit (SPU) and functioned in that capacity until the President banned the police from personal guard duties. Before his appointment as the AIG Force Criminal Investigation Department Annex in Alagbon, Lagos, Disu led a special covert operation to Kwara State where suspects behind the massive killings were apprehended.
Discipline beyond the badge
Outside policing, Disu is a 3rd Dan black belt in judo. He chairs the Nigeria Police Judo Association and won silver at the 2022 US Open Judo Championships. The discipline of the sport reflects his belief in control, balance and measured response.
The task before him
As Acting IGP, Disu assumes office at a critical time. The Force faces demands for reform and greater accountability. Violent crime, kidnapping and cyber fraud remain major concerns. Public trust also needs rebuilding.
His record points to key priorities.
He is likely to strengthen intelligence-led policing and improve data-driven operations. His background suggests a focus on inter-agency coordination and proactive crime prevention.
Community engagement will also be important. The RRS model showed that visible and responsive policing can improve public perception.
Internal discipline must remain central. Sustained accountability will be necessary to rebuild credibility.
Technology and training reform should follow. Modern investigations require digital skills and forensic capacity.
Welfare of officers is another urgent issue. Morale and professionalism depend on structured development and better support systems.
Olatunji Rilwan Disu’s rise reflects long service in demanding environments. He has worked in fraud units, anti-robbery squads, intelligence teams and state commands. His challenge now is to convert operational strength into lasting institutional reform at the highest level of the Force.
