Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun’s successor, Tunji Disu, has shared a striking story of a retired soldier who initially demanded that police kill his son after the young man was arrested for alleged cultism, only to return the next day with food for him.
Disu recounted the incident on Thursday during the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The three-day event, held to commemorate International Youth Day 2026, focused on youth leadership, security, responsibility and the need to discourage violence and thuggery among young people.
According to the IGP, the incident occurred while he was serving as Divisional Police Officer in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State, after a university student was arrested over cult-related activities.
Recounting the encounter, Disu said the retired soldier came to his office and demanded to know the whereabouts of his son.
“And he said, DPO, where is the boy? I said, he’s detained. He said, very good. I want you to help me to kill him.
“Kill him! That was what he said. That you must kill him. He doesn’t want him at home,” he said.
Disu said the man remained in his office for several hours, insisting that the police should carry out the request before he was persuaded to return home.
According to the police chief, the situation took a dramatic turn the following morning when the same father repeatedly called and arrived at the station with food for his son.
“And he left. The following morning, very early in the morning, he started calling me. He has brought food for his son. He brought food for his son,” Disu said.
The IGP said he later met with the retired soldier and questioned him about the sudden change of heart.
“What if I’ve killed this boy since yesterday? That is a parent for you,” Disu recalled telling him.
He explained that the experience highlighted the complex emotions parents often face and underscored the importance of family involvement in guiding and disciplining young people.
Disu noted that the young man eventually completed his education, got married and became a father, describing the story as a reminder that youthful mistakes do not always define a person’s future.
