The Adelabu rescue: How IGP Disu’s tactical command dismantled a sophisticated kidnapping syndicate

Public confidence in Disu’s tactical capabilities is rooted in several high-profile assignments that prepared him for the role. He previously led the Lagos State Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and later headed the elite Intelligence Response Team (IRT). These positions gave him firsthand experience in urban policing, rapid-response operations, and anti-kidnapping strategies. His leadership credentials were further strengthened during his tenure as Commissioner of Police in both Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory, where he managed security operations across challenging terrain and complex urban environments.

A major factor behind recent operational successes under Disu’s command has been his longstanding emphasis on digital intelligence and modern forensic methods.

Before becoming Inspector-General, he served as Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the Force CID Annex, Alagbon, Lagos, where he promoted data-driven policing, cyber investigations, and geo-tracking technology. By expanding the use of these tools, the police force moved from a largely reactive model toward a more proactive, intelligence-led approach. This shift has helped shorten investigation timelines, improve deployment decisions, and provide tactical units with a stronger information advantage against organized criminal networks.

Under Disu’s leadership, the Nigeria Police Force has undergone a broader institutional transformation aimed at strengthening intelligence-driven law enforcement. The Force Intelligence Department (FID) was restructured into a central operational hub, and a new management team was assembled in March 2026. The team was tasked with decentralizing operational command, reducing bureaucratic delays, and improving accountability within the force in order to rebuild public trust.

The effectiveness of these reforms became evident on June 6, 2026, when the elite Intelligence Response Team (IRT) carried out a major operation in Oyo State. Using upgraded FID data-tracking systems, geo-tracking information, and real-time surveillance, operatives were able to identify the movements of a local kidnapping syndicate and locate its remote hideout within 72 hours. The intelligence-driven operation led to a successful late-night raid that dismantled the syndicate and secured the safe rescue of Chief Adebayo Adelabu’s sister and young nephews without injury.

The final stage of the Ibadan operation demonstrated the tactical discipline and operational coordination that have become hallmarks of Disu’s leadership. As officers closed in on the hideout, they acted to prevent the kidnappers from using the hostages as human shields. During the ensuing gun battle, two armed suspects were neutralized and multiple firearms were recovered. Mrs. Olaide Busayo Adegoke John-Paul and her 12-year-old twin sons were rescued unharmed, underscoring the combination of precise intelligence and decisive tactical action.

To sustain such successes nationwide, IGP Disu has continued to strengthen the role of the Force Intelligence Department in coordinating efforts across all 36 states. Because kidnapping groups often exploit state boundaries to evade arrest, the police have increasingly adopted integrated inter-state operations and coordinated deployments. These reforms are being supported by stricter disciplinary measures, specialized training programs, and welfare initiatives aimed at improving professionalism within the force. Through this broader modernization effort, the Nigeria Police Force seeks to translate public expectations into a more effective and technology-driven national security framework.