Tinubu's Lagos man is now IGP, 48 days before mandatory retirement

Tunji Disu becomes Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police today. He's being sworn in at the Federal Executive Council meeting.

Here's what you need to know about how we got here.

Kayode Egbetokun resigned on February 24, citing personal and family reasons. That's the official account, and it stands. Premium Times, citing sources, reported that pressure from the presidency contributed to his exit: his resistance to state police creation, slow compliance with orders to withdraw officers from VIP protection, and being blacklisted by the International Press Institute for attacks on journalists. Egbetokun has not confirmed that version. What he said publicly, at the handover, was: "The foundation has been reinforced. The reform trajectory clearly defined."

What we know for certain is what happened next.

Tinubu appointed Disu within 24 hours. A former head of the Lagos Rapid Response Squad. A man the president personally vouched for: "I know your record. I saw the dedication you exhibited while you were in Lagos when I was governor."

That's not a job description. That's a character reference from a patron.

Disu had 48 days left before mandatory retirement when Tinubu appointed him. Under the amended police law, he now serves a full four-year term instead. That's not coincidence. That's architecture.

He's promised to end "the era of impunity." He told his officers that citizens are the boss. That's what every new IGP says.

Here's the uncomfortable truth about this moment. The impunity Nigerians experience from the police doesn't usually come from rogue officers acting alone. It comes from a system where police answer upward, not outward. Where loyalty to patrons is the actual promotion criteria. Where a president who installs a man he personally vouched for has not disrupted that system.

He has confirmed it.

The Police Council confirmed Disu on Monday. No Senate confirmation required, per the amended Police Act. Tinubu chaired the meeting. Governors attended. It lasted 40 minutes.

The era of impunity is over, apparently. We'll see whose impunity he means.