Olatunji Disu: His Reputation Precedes Him, By Olaleye Olawale

His is one of the finest, and most suiting appointments ever to be made by President Bola Tinubu. And, for the sake of the new Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, it may be out of place to join the mob to play the clouding ethnic card over his choice.

Rather, focus should be on the merit, competence and capacity. The good guy of the police as his moniker suggests, Disu, who was hitherto an Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), has paid his dues, both on the field and in his chilling office as an oga.

Although the immediate past IG, Olukayode Egbetokun, has continued to receive unceasing bashing since his exit from many quarters, that, too, is not the call of this engagement at the moment.

If in spite of his several alleged shortcomings, including poor human relations and abuse of office, he was able to rise to the zenith of his career, it is better to leave the rest to posterity. Posterity isn’t just a word, but plays an active role in the denouement of every man.

Perhaps, a few others in his cast can pick a thing or two from his trajectory, especially his seemingly unceremonious exit hinged on some phantom family considerations. After all, whatever has a beginning, must ultimately end.

However, speaking to the man of the moment, Olatunji Disu, the universe, not Tinubu chose to compensate and thank him for all he had done over the years to make up for the otherwise filthy image of the police. He is one man, yes, but in a different class and an enviable one at that.

If you’ve ever come in contact with Disu and you did not ask yourself if he was indeed a police officer, maybe you met his body double. He’s a fine and disciplined officer, who embodies kindness and the fear of God in his service to fatherland. Disu is by every stretch worthy of emulation.

Testimonies about him are endless and enthralling at the same time. He is neither driven by the perks of office nor the incentives of the corrupt environment in which he operates. How he has done this over the years needs to be studied for the sake of the force and its operatives – both existing and intending.

Sometime ago, a cab driver in Abuja told a story, which gave fillip to the reputation and brand that Disu has sculpted for himself. He concluded by saying, “It’s interesting that the police have such a man in their rank and file.”

What’s the story?

Sometime back, a DPO rammed into a cab man in Abuja, damaging the guy’s car. But because he was sporting a uniform bearing the authority of the police, he decided to abuse his office and deal with the man instead.

Quickly, arrangements were made to arraign him and send to prison for “damaging the car of an officer” even though the officer was the one at fault.

Sensing trouble for their colleague – a helpless cab driver – they found a way to reach Disu and narrated their story (that he was even accessible is a big plus on its own).

As an officer with experience, he immediately knew what was going on. His instinct didn’t fail him. He called the DPO, including others involved in the case and summoned everyone to his office.

When they got there, after listening to both sides of the story, he turned to the officer and confronted him with the facts just laid before him. He allegedly told the DPO that, “he, too, could also use his office to deal with him but refused to be like him.”

He further turned to a couple of other officers present and asked what should ordinarily be done to the erring DPO and they all allegedly chorused: “de-ranking”.