Nigeria Police IGP Olatunji Disu Leads Successful Kidnapping Rescue and Reform Drive

President Bola Tinubu appointed Olatunji Rilwanu Disu as Inspector‑General of Police in February 2026, a move welcomed by security experts and the public for pairing field experience with academic expertise. Disu’s background includes leading the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad, heading the elite Intelligence Response Team, and serving as commissioner in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory.

Under his leadership the force has prioritized digital intelligence, cyber investigations and geo‑tracking, restructuring the Force Intelligence Department into a central hub and decentralising command to improve responsiveness. Partnerships with the German government, UNDP and local foundations support ongoing capacity‑building and training.

The reforms produced a high‑profile operation on 6 June 2026 in Oyo State, where the Intelligence Response Team used upgraded data‑tracking and real‑time surveillance to locate a kidnapping syndicate’s hideout. Police rescued Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and her 12‑year‑old twins unharmed, neutralised two suspects and recovered firearms. Later, Disu addressed senior officers at the Operational Change and Leadership course in Abuja, urging them to embrace innovation, accountability and intelligence‑led policing to sustain the transformation of the Nigeria Police Force.