Five former Inspectors General of Police (IGPs) have paid a high-profile visit to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. 

The primary purpose of the visit was to formally pledge their unwavering support and backing for the current Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, shared details of the encounter on Thursday via social media. He emphasized that the visit was deeply “purposeful,” highlighting that in the world of high-level security leadership, the backing of one’s predecessors carries immense weight and helps solidify the current administration’s standing.

The delegation of retired police chiefs included some of the most prominent names in the history of the Nigerian Police Force: Aliyu Attah, Mike Okiro, Ogbonna Onovo, Suleiman Abba, and Usman Alkali Baba. They arrived at the headquarters on Tuesday to express their collective solidarity and share their wealth of experience with Disu.

Speaking on the significance of the meeting, Giwa noted that these men uniquely understand the burdens of the office. He stated, “They understand the demands of this office, having faced its challenges firsthand. They know the sleepless nights, difficult decisions, and responsibility of leading the Force under national scrutiny.”

Beyond just a courtesy call, the former IGPs acted as mentors, offering direct and practical guidance to the current leadership. Their advice centered on maintaining the integrity of the institution and the safety of the public, which remains the primary mandate of the Nigerian Police Force.

The advice given to IGP Disu was described as being grounded in realism and institutional memory.

According to Giwa, “Their advice was direct and practical: sustain reforms, lead with intelligence, protect your officers, and never take the trust of the Nigerian people for granted.”

IGP Disu received the former police chiefs with humility, acknowledging the importance of the history they represent. Giwa added that Disu “recognises he is building on decades of institutional history shaped by his predecessors and views this not as a burden, but as a privilege.”

This visit comes shortly after Olatunji Disu was officially sworn in as the substantive 23rd Inspector-General of Police by President Bola Tinubu on March 4, 2026. The endorsement from five of his predecessors signals a unified front as he begins his tenure in one of the nation’s most demanding roles.