Hierarchy and the Price of Power: How Tunji Disu’s Appointment Forces Frank Mba and Top DIGs into Early Retirement
MAKOGI — A monumental shake-up has hit the highest echelons of the Nigeria Police Force. Following President Bola Tinubu’s appointment of Assistant Inspector-General (AIG) Tunji Disu as the acting Inspector-General of Police on Tuesday, February 24, 2026, a wave of imminent retirements is set to sweep out several top-ranking officers, including Deputy Inspector-General (DIG) Frank Mba.
The dramatic realignment comes after the sudden resignation of the immediate past IGP, Kayode Egbetokun. Egbetokun, who took office in June 2023 for a four-year term meant to conclude in 2027, abruptly tendered his resignation citing pressing family considerations. The Presidency, through Special Adviser on Information and Strategy Bayo Onanuga, formally accepted the resignation and announced Disu’s elevation to the apex office as a strategic pre-2027 security boost.
Security analysts view President Tinubu’s selection of Disu as a calculated move to inject fresh, intelligence-driven leadership into the police force ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. However, the immediate challenge for the new acting IGP will be managing the massive transition and filling the deep leadership voids left by the sudden exit of Mba and his fellow DIGs.
The Tradition of the Badge
While the Police Act does not legally mandate the mass exit of senior personnel, an established, unwritten tradition governs the Nigeria Police Force: when a junior officer ascends to the role of Inspector-General, senior colleagues must step aside. The force strictly upholds this practice to preserve hierarchy, command respect, and maintain organizational stability.
Because Tunji Disu was only promoted to the rank of AIG in March 2025, several serving DIGs technically outrank him. These officers must now retire to pave the way for Disu to consolidate his command as the substantive IG.
The Top Brass Bowing Out
The impending retirements will create significant vacuums across key departments of the force. The senior officers expected to retire alongside Frank Mba include:
DIG Frank Mba: Currently heading Training and Development. A highly decorated officer and three-time National Spokesman of the Force, Mba steadily rose through the ranks from Inspector in 1999 and became an AIG in 2023.
DIG Yahaya Abubakar: Heading Finance and Administration.
DIG Bzigu Kwazhi: Leading the Department of Operations, responsible for joint security operations and tactical deployments.
DIG Adebola Hamzat: In charge of Logistics and Supply.
DIG Sadiq Abubakar: Heading the Force Criminal Investigation Department (FCID).DIG Basil Idegwu: Overseeing Research and Planning.
DIG Mohammed Gumel: Leading Information and Communication Technology and the Force Intelligence Bureau.
Meet the New Sheriff: Tunji Disu
Acting IGP Tunji Disu brings a robust operational and intelligence background to the top job. Born in Lagos Island in 1966, Disu holds a bachelor’s degree in English Education from Lagos State University, along with two master’s degrees in Public Administration and Criminology.
Before his surprise elevation on Tuesday, Disu served as the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) and the Principal Staff Officer to his predecessor, Egbetokun. He is perhaps best known for his extended tenure as the Commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) from 2015 to 2021, and most recently as the AIG in charge of the FCID Annex in Alagbon, Lagos.
Looking Ahead to 2027
Security analysts view President Tinubu’s selection of Disu as a calculated move to inject fresh, intelligence-driven leadership into the police force ahead of the crucial 2027 general elections. However, the immediate challenge for the new acting IGP will be managing the massive transition and filling the deep leadership voids left by the sudden exit of Mba and his fellow DIGs.