The age-old adage “the reward for hard work is more hard work” proved true for Olatunji Disu, the FCT Commissioner of Police, on Monday, March 17.
The Police Service Commission (PSC) approved his promotion to Assistant Inspector General (AIG), a testament to the fact that dedication and perseverance can lead to even greater challenges and responsibilities, Persecondnews reported.
This promotion is a notable milestone in Disu’s career, who had assumed office as the 32nd Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command just a few months prior, on October 7, 2024.
Disu, a key driver of peace and tranquility in the capital city, has been instrumental in ensuring residents enjoy a safer environment since assuming office in September 2024.
Notably, under his leadership as FCT CP, more than 1,000 criminals terrorizing Abuja were apprehended within a remarkably short period of six months, with 550 arrests taking place between January and March 2025 alone.
Intelligence-led raids conducted by the command from February 6 to February 23, 2025, targeted criminal hideouts, black spots, and abandoned buildings across the territory, resulting in the recovery of hard drugs and dangerous weapons.
The high-impact operations, executed with precision, targeted crime-prone areas such as Kurudu, Dutse Alhaji, Kubwa, Wuye, Galadimawa, Iddo, Kuje, Apo, Zuba, Asokoro, Karshi, Karu, Byazhin, and other strategic locations across the territory.
A total of 245 suspects were apprehended during the operations.
In another successful operation conducted under Disu’s leadership, from late February to early March 2025, the command apprehended an additional 300 suspects and seized a substantial cache of arms, ammunition, and illicit substances.
The operations focused on high-risk areas, notably Dei-Dei, Karu, Gwarinpa, Jikwoyi, Karimo, and Maitama, while also conducting anti-kidnapping clearance operations in villages and communities along the FCT borders.
In a bold strike against banditry and kidnapping, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command launched targeted clearance operations at several key locations, including FCT-Kaduna Border, where raids were carried out at Gidan-Dogo village and Kweri Forest, FCT-Niger Forest, where clearance operations were executed at Gauraka Forest, and FCT-Nasarawa Forest, where raid operations were launched at Sardauna Forest.
During these targeted operations, seven kidnappers were neutralized, and several others were apprehended, effectively dismantling their networks and significantly disrupting the activities of criminal elements operating along these notorious corridors.
The arrests included 59 suspected armed robbers, 10 kidnappers and their informants, while 9 armed robbers and 7 kidnappers were neutralized during the operations; furthermore, 16 suspected cultists were also taken into custody.
The operations yielded a significant haul of dangerous weapons and illicit substances, including 18 AK-47 rifles, 23 AK-47 magazines, 2 CZ scorpion A1 rifles, 9 English pistols, 7 pistol magazines, and 2 dane guns.
The recovered items also included a large quantity of ammunition and weapons, comprising 116 rounds of 7.62mm live ammunition, 102 rounds of 9mm live ammunition, locally made pistols, shotguns, axes, cutlasses, and daggers.
The police also seized various illicit items, including scissors, codeine syrup, suspected marijuana, glue tubes, locally made bongs, cash totaling N28,050, and several cards of Rohypnol.
Prior to his deployment to the FCT, Abuja had witnessed rampant criminal activities, including a surge in kidnapping and armed robbery cases, particularly in areas such as Kuje, Kwali, and Abaji, which had become hotspots for these crimes.
These daredevils were so brazen in their actions that, in January 2024, they kidnapped three persons in an estate behind the Nigerian Army Post-Service Housing Scheme in Kurudu Estate, FCT.
One particular notorious case of armed robbery and home invasion was the murder of 70-year-old retired Brigadier General Uwem Udokwere, who was stabbed to death by armed robbers who invaded his home at Sunshine Home Estate in the Lokogoma area of Abuja.
‘One chance’ cab robbery had become a normal occurrence, with one of the incidents led to the tragic death of Greatness Olorunfemi, a human resources consultant and member of the YALI Network in Abuja, who was brutally pushed out of a moving vehicle along the Maitama-Kubwa Expressway.
Ms. Olorunfemi was stabbed and, unfortunately, lost her life after being left unattended at the Maitama General Hospital.
Other vices bedeviling the city are car theft and vandalism in areas with high traffic, such as Wuse and Garki as well as pickpocketing and purse snatching, common in crowded areas like markets and bus stations.
There are also scammers who often target unsuspecting residents and visitors, especially in areas like Maitama and Asokoro and cultism and gang violence in areas such as Nyanya and Karu.
Immediately after his redeployment to Abuja in September 2024, by the Inspector-General of Police, Dr. Kayode Egbetokun, Disu swiftly moved into action, taking proactive steps against criminal elements by targeting their strongholds.
The Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the FCT Police Command on 1st October 2024, acting on credible intelligence, trailed and arrested four notorious kidnappers who have been terrorizing the FCT at their criminal hideout in Sauka, Abuja.
The suspects confessed to being responsible for a series of kidnappings of unsuspecting residents in the FCT and its environs, and to killing of seven victims in the process.
Records also showed that the gang is also responsible for attacks in several locations, including: Dakwa, Dawaki, Aco estate, Dupe Village Zuma rock, Kuchiko village and some villages in Niger and Kaduna.
They also led police operatives to another hideout in Gauraka Forest, Suleja, Niger State, where four AK-47 rifles, 13 AK-47 magazines, and 162 rounds of 7.6mm live ammunition were uncovered.
Furthermore, they confessed to a plan to attack certain government institutions and estates within the FCT, which the Command proactively thwarted.
On October 21, 2024, operatives of the FCT Police Command carried out an operation in kidnappers’ dens in Kweri Forest, Kaduna State, and Gauraka Forest in Niger State, resulting in the arrest of nine suspects and the neutralization of 10 others.
In its crackdown on ‘one-chance’ robbery syndicates, the Command arrested seven suspected members of a notorious gang operating in the Abuja metropolis on December 13, 2024, and recovered 13 vehicles allegedly used in their activities.
To further maintain an upper hand in the war against crime in the FCT, CP Disu introduced a daily raid of criminal hideouts.
The Command identified and raided the following criminal hideouts across the FCT:Apo-Dutse Panteka; Diplomatic Zone; New PDP Secretariat; Kabusa Panteka; Ajakaita (Tungan-Maje); Abuja-Kaduna Road; Jabi Panteka; Apo-Waru Panteka; Area 1 (Monkey Village); Durumi Village; Gwarimpa; Angwan Tivi; Mpape (Mashafa and Shishinpe villages); Durumi III (Burukutu Garden);Mabushi (Gishiri Village); Kubwa (by Pipeline and NEPA Road) and Maitama (under the Transcorp Bridge).
The sustained effort yielded remarkable results. These include:348 suspects arrested for various criminal activities,
320 suspects prosecuted and charged to court as well as seizure of 10 trucks loaded with vandalized metals, disrupting the market for stolen items.
Moreover, the team recovered 26 manhole covers and 20 solar/streetlight poles, ensuring the restoration of critical public infrastructure.
Confiscation of large quantities of AEDC armoured cables, preventing further vandalism, seizure of substantial quantities of dried leaves suspected to be Indian hemp and assorted hard drugs, reducing drug-related crimes.
They also recovered 11 firearms, as part of efforts to mop up dangerous weapons from circulation.
Persecondnews learnt that delivering results is par for the course for the astute and seasoned police officer, who has built a reputation for getting the job done with efficiency and precision.
During his tenure as Rivers State Commissioner of Police, he also achieved a remarkable feat in a state notorious for its complex web of political volatility and hostility.
Within an impressive five-month period, he successfully dismantled and brought to justice several notorious crime syndicates that had virtually held the state hostage.
Notable among the high-profile criminals and terrorists brought to justice were the infamous 2Baba, John Togo, General Ugly, General Odiereke, and the notorious Daddy Chukwu, alias OBONI, along with several other key figures.
One of his most impactful contributions was fostering a culture of trust and cooperation between the police and the community, achieved through innovative initiatives that strengthened Police Community Relations and promoted Community Policing.
By empowering local vigilante groups and leveraging their knowledge and expertise, he successfully harnessed the collective power of the community to prevent and combat crime.
In his commitment to promoting peace and stability, CP Disu further introduced and encouraged the use of alternative dispute resolution mechanisms, providing communities with constructive and non-confrontational approaches to resolving conflicts, thereby reducing tensions and fostering a culture of harmony and understanding.
A notable example of his effective intervention was the protracted face-off between Nigerian Agip Oil Company Ltd (now Oando Energy Resources Nigeria Ltd) and its host community, Mgbuosimini Community in Rumueme kingdom.
The community staged a peaceful protest against the oil giant, citing years of neglect and disregard for their needs.
Therefore, with his deep understanding of the local dynamics, Disu swiftly intervened in the dispute.
Following a three-day blockade, he convened a crucial settlement meeting on June 12, 2024, bringing together representatives of the community and the company’s management.
With his facilitation, the parties engaged in constructive dialogue, paving the way for a peaceful and mutually beneficial resolution to the long-standing impasse.
Prior to his distinguished tenure as Commissioner of Police in Rivers and FCT Commands, CP Disu had an illustrious career trajectory, serving as the commander of the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and later as the Commander of the Intelligence Response Team (IGP-IRT) in Abuja.
While commanding the Lagos State RRS between June 13, 2015, and August 2021, he named his officers ‘The Good Guys’, a move that helped reform officers to enforce the law responsibly yet remain friendly to citizens while carrying out their activities.
Under Disu’s leadership, the RRS foiled seven armed robbery attacks and rescued 19 victims in different parts of Lagos, contributing to a significant reduction in armed robbery rates in the state.
He expanded the RRS’s security patrol and operations across Lagos, ensuring timely responses to distress calls and improving the overall safety of residents.
He also fostered effective collaborations with other security agencies to enforce law and order in Lagos, leading to improved security and safety of lives and property.
After his strings of success in Lagos, Disu served as the Deputy Commissioner of Police, Department of Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
On August 2, 2021, Usman Alkali Baba, the Inspector-General of Police, appointed DCP Tunji Disu as the new head of the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), replacing DCP Abba Kyari, who is currently being prosecuted for some offences in the law courts.
Under Disu’s leadership, the IGP-IRT achieved an impressive winning streak, showcasing his exceptional command and strategic expertise.
Disu, a distinguished officer, holds a Bachelor’s degree in English Language from Lagos State University (LASU) and a Master’s degree in Public Administration from Adekunle Ajasin University, Ondo State.
A highly decorated and accomplished officer, Disu has enhanced his expertise through numerous prestigious professional courses both locally and internationally.
His impressive portfolio includes: Small Arms Smuggling Training in Botswana, Internet Fraud Training at the esteemed Cambridge University, UK, Strategic Leadership Command Course at the Police Staff College, Jos, and Forensic Investigations and Criminal Intelligence Course at the University of Lagos.
These specialized trainings have equipped him with cutting-edge knowledge and skills, solidifying his position as a distinguished law enforcement expert.
CP Disu holds membership in several prestigious professional organizations, including the International Association of Chiefs of Police, the Nigerian Institute of Public Relations, and the Chartered Institute of Personnel Management.
He is a shining exemplar of modern policing, embodying the highest standards of professionalism, integrity, and dedication to public service.
Disu’s illustrious legacy has set an exceptionally high standard, presenting a daunting challenge to his successors.
They are faced with the daunting task of either raising the bar even higher by demonstrating unwavering integrity, innovative thinking, and unparalleled productivity, or risking a fleeting tenure that fizzles out without leaving a lasting impact.
Leave a comment