August 3, 2021

Top police authorities said Monday that the exploits of Mr Tunji Disu, a deputy commissioner of police in Lagos where he headed the Rapid Response Squad, RSS,  more than anything else earned him the appointment to head the Police Intelligence Response Team (IRT).

The Inspector General of Police (I-G), Mr Usman Baba, had on Monday approved the posting of DCP Tunji Disu as the new Head of the IRT following the suspension of the embattled Mr Abba Kyari who was accused of being paid bribe by an internet fraudster, Ramon Abbas, also known as Hushpuppi, to arrest one of his friends in a $1.1million deal.

Police sources said a few persons including from the IRT were penciled down for consideration to fill the vacant space created by the suspension of Kyari but Disu’s antecedent placed him ahead of others. The RSS under Disu acquired a higher status of efficiency and public-friendliness, bursting crimes and making arrests in a manner that tamed criminals especially in-traffic robbers on the ever busy Lagos roads.

Disu introduced a culture of respect and result in the RSS in line with international best practices. Security personnel in the RRS were not only alive to their anti-crime responsibilities, they also demonstrated their humanity including helping persons in distress, a particular case was helping a woman who went into labour in traffic.

Police spokesman, Mr. Frank Mba, said the posting of Disu was on the heels of management’s decision to fill the leadership gap within the IRT and refocus the unit for better service delivery.

He said the I-G urged the new Head of IRT to demonstrate his professional competence in his leadership of the Unit.

Mba pledged that the unit would remain focused in the discharge of its duties in line with national statutes and international best practices.

Prior to his appointment, Disu was a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Lagos State, then later,  the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.

Mba said the new Head of IRT had also served at the State Criminal Investigation Department  (CID), Rivers as the Deputy Head of the Unit.

“He was also a former Commander of the Nigeria Police Contingent to the African Union (AU) Peace Keeping Mission in Dafur, Sudan.

“Disu holds a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from the Lagos State University (LASU) and a Masters Degree in Public Administration from the Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.

“He has also attended several professional courses both at home and abroad: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the Cambridge University, UK and Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, among others.

“Disu is a member of the International Association of Chiefs of Police, Nigeria Institute of Public Relations and Chattered Institute of Personnel management,” he said.