Pressure is mounting on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu over the future of several Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs), amid concerns that the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, lacks a stable management team.
Multiple sources within the Nigeria Police Force said uncertainty surrounding the top hierarchy has sparked intense internal manoeuvring, with senior officers lobbying to retain their positions.
Disu’s appointment came barely two months before his scheduled retirement at the mandatory age of 60.
Born on April 13, 1966, in Lagos State, Disu was promoted to Assistant Inspector-General on March 6, 2025. Before his elevation as IGP, he was due to retire on April 13, 2026.
However, under the amended Police Act, an Inspector-General is entitled to a fixed four-year tenure, irrespective of age or years of service, meaning Disu could remain in office until 2030.
Despite this provision, insiders claim emerging political and institutional dynamics may complicate any extension beyond his initial retirement timeline.
Sources revealed to Sahara Reporters that some serving DIGs are mounting pressure to remain in office, arguing that Disu’s impending retirement makes any wholesale restructuring premature.
At the same time, other stakeholders are reportedly urging the President to overhaul the leadership structure to allow the new IGP assemble his own trusted management team.
“Pressure has been mounting to fire the DIGs because the newly appointed IGP, Disu, has no management team to work with, and the DIGs are mounting pressure of their own to remain because they claim Disu is retiring soon,” a source close to the Presidency said.
Complicating matters are allegations of political lobbying over potential succession scenarios.
Sources claimed that former APC National Chairman, Bisi Akande, is pushing for the retention of DIG Adegoke Fayoade, with a view to positioning him to succeed Disu.
“Bisi Akande is particularly pushing to retain DIG Adegoke Fayoade with the hope of keeping him to replace Disu. He is still putting pressure on Tinubu,” a source said.
According to insiders, even if a restructuring removes other DIGs, Fayoade may be retained and positioned to head the Force Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department (FCIID) while leadership negotiations continue.
The development has reportedly reopened internal rivalries, particularly between political heavyweights within the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC).
Last week, reports emerged that a planned compulsory retirement of about 30 DIGs and AIGs following the exit of former IGP Kayode Egbetokun had been halted by the Presidency.
An internal list circulating within the Force indicated that several DIGs, including those in charge of Finance, Logistics, ICT, Training, and Research and Planning, were marked for retirement to preserve command hierarchy.
However, a Presidency source disclosed that President Tinubu intervened to stop the mass retirement.
“The Presidency has halted the firing of DIGs and AIGs, saying the new acting IGP Disu needs their experience,” the source said.
