Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks across Nigeria.
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters within 72 hours to strengthen efforts against banditry and other security threats.
The directives were issued on Wednesday during the monthly conference of strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja, where the police chief acknowledged that armed attacks remained a threat to communities in some parts of the country.
He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment in consultation with the affected police commands.
“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. This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise.
“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. I want specifics, not generalities. The DIG in charge of Operations is to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to the most affected areas, in consultation with the commands concerned.
“Intelligence-led operations must be sustained and intensified. Every command must have a standing operational plan for its high-risk zones.
“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. The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us,” Disu said.
He added that the police would intensify intelligence-driven operations and strengthen cooperation with local communities to identify and tackle armed groups.
“The bandits do not rest. Neither shall we,” he declared.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the IGP announced the immediate cancellation of leave for police personnel assigned to election security duties and restricted the movement of senior officers outside their respective commands.
He directed Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to remain within their areas of responsibility until the conclusion of the electoral process, with any travel outside their commands requiring approval from the Force Headquarters.
“All leave is cancelled for officers and men deployed for election security duties, effective immediately.
“All Commissioners of Police and senior officers are to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process. Any travel outside your command requires express approval from Force Headquarters,” he said.
Disu also ordered police commissioners to assess the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected by the end of the week.
He further directed police commands to establish direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The police chief warned officers against political interference and the misuse of their positions to influence the 2027 elections, facilitate political thuggery or undermine voters’ rights.
“I will not tolerate any officer using the authority of the Police to advance the interest of any political party, candidate or sponsor.
“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 warned.
He added that the Nigeria Police Force would remain non-partisan and provide equal security protection to political parties, candidates, supporters and eligible voters, irrespective of their affiliations.
Meanwhile, Disu disclosed that police operations since the last strategic officers’ conference had resulted in the arrest of 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.
He said the operations also led to the rescue of 95 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles.
The IGP commended officers involved in the operations and directed Commissioners of Police to ensure that outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of personnel killed in active service were settled without further delay.
“I have directed that all outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to the families of our fallen personnel be cleared without further delay, and that Commissioners of Police personally verify the status of every pending case in their commands.
“No family of a fallen officer should be left to struggle alone,” he said.
He also ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding staff entitlements, accommodation shortages and other welfare concerns, directing that the findings be submitted to his office within 30 days.
Disu urged senior officers to strengthen supervision, discipline and operational efficiency while warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.
Banditry and kidnapping remain major security challenges in parts of North-West and North-Central Nigeria, where armed groups have attacked rural communities, abducted residents, rustled livestock and disrupted farming and other economic activities.
