OLATUNJI DISU: “His Reputation Precedes Him” - Olaleye Olawale.

New IGP.

His is one of the finest, and most suiting appointments ever to be made by President Bola Tinubu. And, for the sake of the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, it may be out of place to join the mob to play the clouding ethnic card over his choice.

Rather, focus should be on the merit, competence and capacity. The good guy of the police as his moniker suggests, Disu, who was hitherto an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), has paid his dues, both on the field and in his chilling office as an oga.

Although the immediate past IG, Olukayode Egbetokun, has continued to receive unceasing bashing since his exit from many quarters, that, too, is not the call of this engagement at the moment. 

If in spite of his several alleged shortcomings, including poor human relations and abuse of office, he was able to rise to the zenith of his career, it is better to leave the rest to posterity. Posterity isn’t just a word, but plays an active role in the denouement of every man.

Perhaps, a few others in his cast can pick a thing or two from his trajectory, especially his seemingly unceremonious exit hinged on some phantom family considerations. After all, whatever has a beginning, must ultimately end. 

However, speaking to the man of the moment, Olatunji Disu, the universe, not Tinubu chose to compensate and thank him for all he had done over the years to make up for the otherwise filthy image of the police. He is one man, yes, but in a different class and an enviable one at that.

If you’ve ever come in contact with Disu and you did not ask yourself if he was indeed a police officer, maybe you met his body double. He’s a fine and disciplined officer, who embodies kindness and the fear of God in his service to fatherland. Disu is by every stretch worthy of emulation. 

Testimonies about him are endless and enthralling at the same time. He is neither driven by the perks of office nor the incentives of the corrupt environment in which he operates. How he has done this over the years needs to be studied for the sake of the force and its operatives – both existing and intending.

Sometime ago, a cab driver in Abuja told a story, which gave fillip to the reputation and brand that Disu has sculpted for himself. He concluded by saying, “It’s interesting that the police have such a man in their rank and file.”

What's the story? 

Sometime back, a DPO rammed into a cab man in Abuja, damaging the guy’s car. But because he was sporting a uniform bearing the authority of the police, he decided to abuse his office and deal with the man instead.

Quickly, arrangements were made to arraign him and send to prison for “damaging the car of an officer” even though the officer was the one at fault.

Sensing trouble for their colleague – a helpless cab driver – they found a way to reach Disu and narrated their story (that he was even accessible is a big plus on its own). 

As an officer with experience, he immediately knew what was going on. His instinct didn’t fail him. He called the DPO, including others involved in the case and summoned everyone to his office.

When they got there, after listening to both sides of the story, he turned to the officer and confronted him with the facts just laid before him. He allegedly told the DPO that, “he, too, could also use his office to deal with him but refused to be like him.” 

He further turned to a couple of other officers present and asked what should ordinarily be done to the erring DPO and they all allegedly chorused: “de-ranking”.

He declined to do that but asked the DPO to go and fix the car of the cab driver and told him to do better, going forward. He went on to tell the cab guy to keep updating him and let him know if the officer defaulted in any way

The other cab drivers present were shocked. They couldn’t believe a police officer would not openly side with his own as is always the mode of operation in the force but chastise him instead. That was Disu, the new Inspector General of Police.

Unfortunately, Disu is taking over as the IGP at a critical time in the life of the nation. The overwhelming spread of insecurity is burdening and the police being the first line of defence have a huge role to play. He is the boss now. No excuses! 

Good thing is, he is not new to this sort of challenge, and definitely not one to run away from adversities. He did it in Lagos and other places he had served. It is time to fix Nigeria, considerably. 

This is why, beyond the flurry of congratulatory messages, Disu needs the prayer of everyone for the good of all. No one should envy him at this time. But one can only hope he will surmount the challenges before him and bow out with grace, whenever he calls in time on his career. 

Many congratulations, IGP Olatunji Disu!

Olaleye Olawale is a journalist based in Lagos.