Follow Us on Google
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has given Commissioners of Police in states facing security challenges 72 hours to submit updated threat assessments of their commands and identify the operational resources needed to tackle the threats.
Disu issued the directive during a conference with police strategic managers in Abuja on Wednesday, as he acknowledged that bandit attacks were still ongoing in some parts of the country.
The IGP said the police had recorded progress in their security operations, with 611 suspected criminals arrested across the federation within one month. However, he warned that the arrest figures did not reflect the full security situation in affected communities.
Giving a breakdown of the arrests and other operational achievements, Disu said, “Since our last conference, our personnel have arrested 218 banditry and terrorism suspects, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.
“We also rescued 95 kidnap victims, recovered 306 assorted firearms and 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres, along with 116 stolen vehicles. I commend all officers and men whose courage, professionalism and commitment have contributed to these achievements.”
Despite the successes, the police chief expressed concern over continued attacks by bandits in some states, noting that residents of affected communities remained exposed to threats to their safety and livelihoods.
“I must now speak plainly. The statistics I have just read represent progress, but they do not tell the full story. Bandit attacks are ongoing in some states across the Federation, and communities in those areas continue to face real threats to their safety and livelihoods,” he said.
“This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise.”
Consequently, Disu directed commissioners in the affected commands to submit updated security assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours.
“I am therefore directing as follows, with immediate effect: All Commissioners of Police in affected commands are to submit updated threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours,” he said.
He stressed that the reports must contain specific details of the security situation and the resources required to address it.
Other News
“I want specifics, not generalities,” the IGP said.
Disu also directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to the most affected areas in consultation with the relevant commands.
He ordered police commands to sustain and intensify intelligence-led operations, while ensuring that every command maintained a standing operational plan for its high-risk areas.
The police chief further called for stronger community involvement in security operations, directing officers to engage traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups in affected areas.
“Community intelligence must be deepened. Traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups in affected areas must be engaged and incorporated into our intelligence architecture,” he said.
“The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us.”
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Disu reaffirmed the non-partisan position of the Nigeria Police Force, insisting that officers must not use their positions to promote the interests of political parties or candidates.
“Our allegiance is to the Constitution and the Nigerian people,” he said.
He maintained that every candidate, political party, supporter and eligible voter was entitled to equal protection under the law.
The IGP warned that officers who collaborated with political actors, encouraged thuggery or interfered with the electoral process would face disciplinary action.
“Any officer found to be colluding with political actors, facilitating thuggery, compromising the integrity of the electoral process or interfering with the rights of voters will be disciplined according to the law,” he said.
