Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has recounted a striking incident involving a retired soldier whose son was arrested for alleged cultism while the young man was a university student.
Reports gathered by Drivetvnews indicates that Disu shared the experience on Thursday during the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
According to the police chief, the incident happened when he was serving as a Divisional Police Officer in Ago Iwoye, Ogun State. The retired soldier reportedly visited the station after learning of his son’s arrest and initially expressed extreme anger.
Disu said the man asked about his son and, after being informed that the student was in detention, surprisingly demanded that the police kill him.
The retired soldier reportedly remained at the police station for several hours, insisting that his son should not be allowed to return home.
Disu said he eventually persuaded the man to leave, assuring him that the police would handle the situation and deal with the young man appropriately.
However, the following morning, the father contacted the police officer again, this time because he had brought food for his detained son.
The IGP said the dramatic change in the man’s attitude highlighted the complicated emotions that can influence parents when dealing with the misconduct of their children.
Disu recalled wondering what could have happened if he had acted on the father’s earlier demand before the man’s emotions changed.
He said the experience demonstrated the importance of parental responsibility, proper upbringing and discipline in preventing young people from becoming involved in crime and violence.
The police chief had previously written about the incident in 2025, describing it as a reflection on family discipline and parental responsibility.
According to Disu, the young man eventually turned his life around, completed his education, got married and became a father himself.
The IGP used the story to emphasise the need for families and communities to play a stronger role in guiding young people and discouraging involvement in cultism, violence and other forms of criminality.
