By Monday Ijeh
Acting Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Mr Olatunji Disu, has said his leadership in the Nigeria Police Force would be visible, accountable and worthy of being followed.
Disu said this on Wednesday in Abuja at an event to mark his taking over as the 23rd I-G from the recently retired I-G, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
He said his tenure would be built on clear commitments to recognising modernism, accountability, integrity, community partnership and trust.
“To all officers of the Nigeria Police Force, I will demand the best from you because the people we serve deserve nothing less.
“Integrity, compassion and courage are not optional qualities to serve our communities, they are the job.
“On my own part, I will fight for your welfare, your dignity, and the conditions you need to serve effectively and you will not be asked to perform miracles with nothing.
“Leadership in this service, from this day forward, must be visible, accountable, and worthy of being followed,” he said.
According to him, I am indeed humbled and greatly appreciative of the torrent of congratulatory messages I received from within and outside the Nigeria Police Force since my announcement as the I-G.
Disu said that he was of the opinion that it was not time to be congratulated because a heavy burden had been placed on his shoulder and that of his colleagues.
“It is not yet time because I know the expectations are very high. It is not yet time because I know we should not only meet the expectation but strive to surpass them,” he said.
The acting I-G commended former I-Gs for their passion, professionalism and dedication and for the foundation they laid and the structures they worked hard to build.
“I am not unmindful of the sacrifices that every one of them made in the course of their respective tenure,” Disu said.
Earlier, Egbetokun expressed gratitude to President Bola Tinubu for the opportunity given to him to serve as I-G.
He said the confidence was not merely an appointment, but a constitutional trust to safeguard internal security and strengthen this institution at the defining moment in the nation’s history.
“For his standing leadership and sustained support for policing reform, I remain deeply grateful.
“I equally acknowledge the constructive oversight of the Police Service Commission and the collaboration of the Minister of Police Affairs whose partnership ensured policy coherence, administrative stability, and reform continuity within the force,” he said.
Egbetokun said serving as I-G was the highest professional honor of his career.
He said leading an institution sustained by sacrifice and entrusted with the preservation of public orders was both privileged and solemn responsibility.
(NAN)
