The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has named Tunji Disu the new Commissioner of Police in Rivers State.
The IGP has additionally transferred Nwonyi Emeka from Rivers State to the Force Headquarters in Abuja. These changes were communicated in a statement issued by Force spokesman Muyiwa Adejobi on Thursday morning.
Along with these shifts, the IGP has directed new assignments for 14 Assistant Inspector General of Police and 24 commissioners.
The redeployment of Emeka from the Rivers State Police Command and the assignment of Disu to the Command are responses to a recent political crisis in the oil-rich South-South state.
Last week, a group of protesting youths called for the reassignment of Emeka following the impeachment controversy involving Gov Sim Fubara. The governor claimed that the police shot at him while he was on his way to inspect a burnt section of the Rivers State House of Assembly.
Despite the police denying the allegation, there was an increasing demand for the IGP to reorganize the Command.
Before his recent appointment, Disu served as the Head of the IGP Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and was a former Commander of the Rapid Response Squad in Lagos State.
Similarly, the IGP transferred CP Mohammed Barde from Imo State Police Command to Safer Highways at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. CP Danjuma Aboki has taken over the position. These changes occurred just days before the November 11, 2023, gubernatorial election in Imo State.
The IGP has tasked the newly assigned officers with maintaining professionalism and diligence in implementing Force policy.