The newly appointed Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, on Tuesday declared an end to impunity and unprofessional conduct within the Nigeria Police Force, pledging sweeping reforms anchored on discipline, accountability and respect for human rights.

Disu made the declaration shortly after his swearing-in by President Bola Tinubu at the Presidential Villa, Aso Rock, Abuja.

His appointment followed the resignation of his predecessor, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, February 24.

Addressing State House correspondents after the ceremony, Disu described his appointment as unexpected, revealing that the President’s detailed account of his service record deeply moved him.

“The way the President mentioned several activities about me — areas I have worked and successes I recorded as a policeman — brought emotion to me, almost to tears,” he said.

According to him, the President’s remarks amounted to a direct challenge to justify the confidence reposed in him by restoring peace and strengthening the image of the Force.

The Acting IGP stressed that under his leadership, abuse of office, corruption and misconduct would not be tolerated.

“I will let them know that the era of impunity is over,” he declared. “There will be zero tolerance for corruption. We will intensify training and ensure our officers uphold human rights in the discharge of their duties.”

He emphasised that effective policing cannot thrive without public trust and collaboration, noting that community cooperation would be central to his reform agenda.

“We can never succeed without the cooperation of members of the public,” he said, pledging to entrench professionalism and accountability across all ranks of the Force.

President Bola Tinubu has removed the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, from office and appointed Tunji Disu as his replacement.

Disu, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), takes over the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force following a directive by the President ordering Egbetokun to resign.

Presidency sources indicated that the decision was conveyed to Egbetokun during a meeting at the Presidential Villa in Abuja on Monday.

Egbetokun was appointed the 22nd Inspector-General of Police by Tinubu on June 19, 2023, with his substantive appointment later confirmed by the Nigeria Police Council on October 31, 2023.

He assumed office at the age of 58 and was initially scheduled to retire on September 4, 2024, upon attaining the mandatory retirement age of 60. However, his tenure was extended by the President in a move that generated public debate.

Disu’s appointment marks a new leadership phase for the Nigeria Police Force amid ongoing security challenges across the country.

President Bola Tinubu has challenged state governors to scale up efforts aimed at directly improving the lives of Nigerians at the grassroots, declaring that development must transcend politics, religion and ethnicity.

Speaking during an interfaith Ramadan Iftar dinner with governors at the State House, Abuja, the President said the country’s best days were still ahead but stressed that leadership must deliberately reach citizens who feel left behind.

In a statement shared via his verified X handle after the meeting, Tinubu said the sacred season of Ramadan and Lent offered a moment of reflection beyond governance and public policy.

“Tonight, I hosted our State Governors to an interfaith breaking of the fast as Muslims observe Ramadan and Christians journey through Lent,” he said.

“In this sacred season for two of the major faiths in our dear country, we are reminded that beyond politics and policy, we are first a people of conscience.”

While commending governors for their efforts and outreach programmes during the holy month, the President urged them to intensify interventions that directly touch vulnerable citizens.

“To reach the young man who feels forgotten. To lift the woman who carries her family on tired shoulders.

“To touch the communities at the grassroots. Development must not recognise religion. Compassion must not recognise tribe. Opportunity must not recognise status,” he said.

Tinubu reiterated his administration’s commitment to national renewal, declaring that he remained resolute in his promise to reposition the country.

“I am determined to rescue this country. And as long as we work together in delivering hope to our citizens, the best is yet to come for Nigeria. What I promised Nigerians will not be postponed,” he stated.

On security, the President described it as the bedrock of economic growth and social stability, insisting that without safety, meaningful development would remain elusive.

“Security is the foundation of prosperity. Without it, farms cannot flourish, businesses cannot grow, and families cannot sleep in peace,” he said.

Tinubu reaffirmed plans to establish state police as part of broader reforms to curb insecurity across the federation.

“This is not about politics. It is about practicality. It is about empowering states with the tools to protect their people while strengthening our national framework,” he said.

Calling for unity and courage in governance, the President urged political leaders to pursue reforms necessary to strengthen institutions and safeguard national cohesion.

“We must be bold enough to reform what is not working. We must be united enough to protect what we hold dear.
“Nigeria will be safer. Nigeria will be stronger. And together, we must commit to making it so,” he added.

Normal operations have resumed at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMIA), Lagos, following a fire incident that briefly disrupted activities and led to the diversion of three international flights.

The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) confirmed that the affected airspace at Terminal One has been fully reopened, with arrivals and departures gradually returning to schedule.

Managing Director of FAAN, Mrs Olubunmi Kuku, assured passengers and airlines that the situation had been brought under control within hours of the outbreak.

She noted that emergency procedures were promptly activated, enabling the safe evacuation of passengers and airport personnel without any fatalities.

Although six persons sustained minor injuries, authorities emphasised that the rapid containment of the fire prevented more extensive damage and prolonged disruption.

Three international carriers — Emirates, British Airways and Lufthansa — had earlier diverted flights as a precautionary measure.

However, FAAN confirmed that flight operations are now stabilising, with most departures relocated to Terminal Two to ensure seamless service.

Kuku said the airport’s Emergency Operations Centre coordinated the response in line with established safety protocols, while firefighters remain on ground as a precaution against lingering smoke.

She added that engineers have begun structural assessments of the affected section to guarantee safety and operational integrity.

“In terms of the full operations affected, not a lot,” she said, underscoring that services would continue unhindered as the airport consolidates on its swift reopening.

The reopening of the nation’s busiest gateway within hours of the incident has been hailed as a demonstration of improved emergency response coordination among aviation and security agencies.

The Catholic Bishops’ Conference of Nigeria (CBCN) has charged the Federal Government to urgently stem the tide of bloodshed across the country and guarantee credible elections in 2027, warning that persistent insecurity and dwindling voter turnout pose grave threats to Nigeria’s democratic future.

The call was made at the opening of the CBCN’s 2026 First Plenary Meeting in Abuja by its president, Lucius Ugorji, who painted a grim picture of a nation under siege.

“Our country has continued to experience rising security challenges. We continue to hear sad tales of senseless massacres, mass burials, endless tears and grief. Nigeria continues to bleed endlessly,” Ugorji lamented.

He cited repeated kidnappings and mass killings in several states, particularly condemning reported attacks in Woro and Nuku communities of Kwara State. According to him, armed groups are exploiting weaknesses in the nation’s security architecture and operating with alarming boldness.
“In all, the gunmen operate boldly, freely and unchallenged… Yet, they are not arrested through their digital footprints,” he said.

While acknowledging steps taken by the administration of Bola Ahmed Tinubu, including the declaration of a national security emergency, the bishops said government efforts remain largely reactive.

“To effectively tackle insecurity, government must go beyond declaring a national emergency on security and reactive interventions to invest more in modern technological equipment for surveillance,” Ugorji stated.

He warned that delays in prosecuting arrested suspects, as well as the reintegration of repentant insurgents under the Operation Safe Corridor initiative, could erode public trust.

“Delaying the prosecution of arrested terrorists or pardoning and reintegrating perceived repentant Boko Haram members through Operation Safe Corridor gives the impression of complicity on the side of government,” he added.

Beyond security, the bishops expressed concern over declining voter turnout in recent elections, describing it as a troubling indicator of citizens’ waning confidence in the electoral process.

“This decline says a lot about citizens’ trust in the electoral process and calls into question the legitimacy of elected officials in a democratic dispensation,” Ugorji said.

He urged the National Assembly to revisit the amended Electoral Act and make real-time electronic transmission of results mandatory ahead of the 2027 general elections.
“This is the will of the people and has to be respected,” he insisted.

On the 2025 Tax Act, which came into effect on January 1, 2026, the bishops acknowledged its potential benefits but warned of unintended consequences.

“When all is said and done, there are widespread fears that the reforms could raise the living cost for consumers, aggravate hardship and push more jobless youths into criminality,” Ugorji cautioned.

The conference also identified illegal mining as a key driver of insecurity and revenue loss, noting that proceeds from minerals such as gold and lithium are being used to finance violent activities.

“Criminal groups use proceeds from the sale of minerals, such as gold and lithium, to buy weapons and fund terrorist activities across the country,” he said, calling for stricter enforcement and the deployment of drone technology and artificial intelligence to monitor remote mining sites.

In his keynote address, Dr. Mike Omeri underscored the need for leadership anchored on service and the common good.

“Leadership of purpose is courageous and does not seek power. Rather, it seeks to serve,” Omeri said, urging leaders to bridge inequality and champion justice, equity and compassion.

Delivering the homily at the opening Mass, Ignatius Kaigama warned political and religious leaders against abusing authority and distorting the Christian message for material gain.
“We fervently hope that the 2027 elections will be different and every single vote… will count, and the genuine will of the people, respected,” Kaigama said.

He cautioned against prosperity teachings that reduce faith to material acquisition, saying some “so-called powerful men of God” preach a distorted gospel focused solely on wealth.

Earlier, Ugorji announced a Special Jubilee Year of St. Francis of Assisi proclaimed by Pope Leo XIV, describing it as a call to deeper spiritual renewal and peace.

He also disclosed that he would step down as CBCN president at the close of the plenary.

“I take advantage of this opportunity to thank you for the cooperation and support I received from you all during my tenure as your chief servant,” he said.

The bishops’ intervention adds to mounting pressure on authorities to address insecurity decisively and rebuild public trust ahead of the 2027 polls.

Stakeholders in Ogu town, Ogu/Bolo Local Government Area of Rivers State, have lauded the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on Gender-Based Violence (GBV) Prevention for its sensitisation programme, describing it as timely and impactful.

The Chairman of Ogu Divisional Council of Chiefs, Chief (Barr.) Lawrence Abiabiari, who was represented by Chief Stephen Mina-Omubo, said the initiative was a welcome development and an eye-opener for many in the community.

According to him, the engagement illuminated critical issues such as rape and abandonment, adding that some residents were previously unaware that women could also be perpetrators of sexual violence.

He commended the committee for addressing sensitive but pressing concerns and expressed optimism that participants would cascade the knowledge gained to others within the community. He also called for regular sensitisation programmes and assured the organisers of the community’s full support.

In her remarks, the Coordinator of the Rivers State Multi-Stakeholder Action Committee on Gender Based Violence Prevention, Barr. Evelyn Membere-Asimiea, said the programme was designed to equip residents with knowledge needed to prevent and respond effectively to GBV cases.
She described the turnout as impressive and beyond expectations, attributing the success of the programme to collaborative support from partners, including ActionAid Nigeria and the Ford Foundation.

Membere-Asimiea urged survivors of GBV to seek help at the Rivers State Sexual Assault Referral Centre, located at No. 32 Nembe Street, Borokiri, Port Harcourt, and managed by the Rivers State Ministry of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation. She also advised victims to contact the Office of the Public Defender under the state Ministry of Justice for legal support on GBV-related matters.

She further disclosed plans to extend the sensitisation campaign to other local government areas, including Ikwerre LGA, as part of efforts to deepen awareness and foster safer communities across the state.

“We plan to replicate this success in other communities to create a safer environment for all in Rivers State,” she said.

Earlier, the Head of the Advocacy Sub-Committee, Barr. Ere Boma, provided an overview of gender-based violence, outlining its various forms — sexual, domestic, economic and psychological abuse — and their far-reaching consequences.

She urged participants, including traditional rulers, community leaders, women and representatives of civil society organisations, to take collective responsibility in confronting GBV, supporting survivors and promoting a culture of respect and equality.

The Atlantic Bell reports that the programme, themed “Ending Gender-Based Violence Starts with Us,” featured interactive sessions on rights awareness, prevention strategies and available support services, alongside question-and-answer engagements with attendees.