The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, on Monday decorated newly promoted Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) and charged them to strengthen intelligence-led policing, deepen inter-agency cooperation, and enhance operational coordination across commands.

Speaking during the decoration ceremony, the IGP urged the senior officers to utilise their experience to reinforce accountability within the ranks and improve the operational effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force.

The officers decorated include Zachariah Fera Achinyan, Zango Ibrahim Baba, Isyaku Mohammed, Margaret Agebe Ochalla, Mohammed Abdul Sulaiman, Kenechukwu Onwuemelie and Umar Shehu Nadada. Another officer, Fayoade Adegoke, had been decorated a week earlier.

Disu noted that the new rank places the officers in key leadership positions within the Force and comes with significant responsibilities.

“Your leadership must inspire confidence within the Force and trust among the citizens we are sworn to protect. Let your tenure at this level be defined by discipline, fairness, transparency and service,” the IGP said.

He described promotion to the rank of Deputy Inspector-General as one of the highest levels of professional trust in the Nigeria Police Force, requiring integrity, courage and commitment to justice.

According to him, the new DIGs are expected to provide institutional direction, strengthen internal discipline, and drive ongoing reforms aimed at repositioning the police.

The IGP also highlighted the evolving security challenges facing the country, including organised crime, cyber-enabled threats and violent criminal networks, stressing the need for strategic and forward-looking leadership.

“As members of the top strategic leadership of the Nigeria Police Force, you are entrusted with responsibilities that go beyond operational command. You must ensure our policing strategies remain responsive to the evolving security landscape,” he said.

Disu further urged the officers to uphold professionalism and accountability while contributing to efforts to transform the police into a more technologically driven and citizen-focused institution.

He also appreciated President Bola Ahmed Tinubu for supporting efforts to strengthen the operational capacity of the police and commended the Police Service Commission for ensuring transparency in the promotion process.