The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks across the country.
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours, as the police intensify efforts to tackle insecurity.
Security operations intensified 
The police chief gave the directives during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Wednesday, acknowledging that bandit attacks remained ongoing in some states.
Disu ordered the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to the affected areas in consultation with the respective commands.
Community intelligence prioritised
The IG directed commands to sustain intelligence-led operations and maintain standing operational plans for high-risk areas. He also ordered the police to deepen collaboration with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups to improve intelligence gathering.
He said the Force would not ignore the security situation in affected communities, declaring that the police must demonstrate their commitment through concrete actions.
Election security
On the 2027 general elections, Disu cancelled leave for officers and men deployed for election security duties and ordered Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the electoral process is concluded.
He also directed police commands to verify the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, mobility and protective gear, while establishing direct coordination with INEC, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The IG warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to compromise the electoral process, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights. He said the police would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters.
Disu disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference. The Force also rescued 95 kidnap victims, recovered 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles during the period.
The police chief further ordered the immediate payment of outstanding death benefits owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty and directed a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation gaps and other pressing needs. He also warned officers against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.
