The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said his leadership philosophy is rooted in ideas he developed early in his policing career about how he would serve if he eventually rose to the top of the force.

Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Lagos on Saturday, the police chief reflected on how those early thoughts have shaped the way he approaches policing today.

Disu explained that as a young officer, he often imagined how he would carry out his duties if he became a Commissioner of Police and even the Inspector-General. According to him, that long-range thinking influenced the style of leadership he now practices.

He also spoke about his evolving relationship with the media, admitting that he once felt uneasy about dealing with journalists, particularly during his posting to Lagos. However, he said direct engagement helped him overcome that concern and deepened his understanding of the role of the press in security reporting.

The IG noted that his time in Lagos encouraged him to foster open and respectful communication between police officers and journalists, a practice he urged those under his command to adopt.

Recalling his tenure as Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Disu said his approach to visibility and engagement drew criticism from some colleagues within the force, who questioned his methods. He said he viewed the criticism differently, seeing it as an opportunity to demonstrate his ideas about what effective policing should look like.

He commended crime reporters for their contributions to public awareness on security matters and thanked them for their continued support of the police.