The pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has welcomed the appointment of Tunji Disu as the new Inspector General of Police (IGP), describing it as a necessary leadership change for the Nigeria Police Force.
Gatekeepers News reports that speaking in Akure on Friday, the Secretary-General of Afenifere, Sola Ebiseni, said the development was long overdue, particularly amid controversies surrounding the outgoing IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. He expressed confidence in Disu’s ability to provide effective leadership for the force.
Commenting on Egbetokun’s reported resignation, Ebiseni said: “We were told he resigned. It seems to be a familiar pattern of President Tinubu to announce resignations of officials he wants to redeploy or engage in other national roles. We wait and see.”
Ebiseni also highlighted his personal knowledge of Disu and commended his professional track record.
“Tunji Disu is a good appointment. He served in Ondo State as a top crime-fighting officer, and I have known the noble and well-respected Disu family from Lagos Island since my secondary school days,” he said.
The group used the occasion to reiterate its longstanding call for the establishment of state police, arguing that decentralised policing is vital to improving Nigeria’s internal security.
“From Afenifere’s perspective, Nigeria’s internal security will be better enhanced by a multi-level police structure. We have always championed the institution of state and community police instead of a single command structure, which undermines our federal arrangement,” Ebiseni stated.
He added that state police would help strengthen security coverage, particularly in remote and poorly governed areas.
“State police will ensure comprehensive security, particularly in largely ungoverned territories that serve as hideouts for terrorist groups,” he said.
