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IGP orders Commissioners of Police in banditry-hit states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements within 72 hours.
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Police arrest 611 suspects, rescue 95 kidnapped victims and recover 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles in one month.
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Disu orders immediate deployment of additional personnel, operational vehicles and air support to areas facing persistent bandit attacks.
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Police chief warns officers against political interference, electoral misconduct and collusion with politicians, threatening disciplinary action against offenders.
November 12, (THEWILL) – Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has given Commissioners of Police in states battling persistent bandit attacks 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters, as the Nigeria Police Force moves to intensify operations in vulnerable communities.
Disu issued the directive on Wednesday at a conference with police strategic managers in Abuja, where he disclosed that police operatives had arrested 611 suspected criminals, rescued 95 kidnapped victims, and recovered 306 firearms in nationwide operations within the past month.
The IGP said the directive was part of immediate measures to address continuing security threats, particularly banditry attacks in some states, where residents remain exposed to violence and threats to their safety and livelihoods.
Police Arrest 611 Suspects, Rescue 95 Kidnap Victims
Giving a breakdown of the operational achievements, Disu said the police arrested 218 suspects linked to banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.
He added that the operations also resulted in the rescue of 95 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles.
“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,” he said.
Disu Orders Urgent Security Assessments, Reinforcement
Despite the operational successes, the IGP acknowledged that security challenges persisted in some parts of the country, particularly communities experiencing recurring bandit attacks..
He cautioned that the arrest figures and recovery of weapons should not be mistaken for a complete resolution of the security situation, stressing that residents in affected states continued to face serious threats.
“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.
“This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise,” the IGP said.
Consequently, he directed all Commissioners of Police in affected commands to submit updated threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters within 72 hours.
He stressed that the reports must contain specific information on prevailing security threats and the operational resources required to tackle them, rather than general assessments.
Disu also directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility assets and air support to the most affected areas, in consultation with the respective commands.
He further ordered all police commands to sustain and intensify intelligence-led operations and ensure that each command maintained a standing operational plan for its high-risk zones.
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Police to Deepen Community Intelligence
On community participation in security operations, the IGP directed police authorities in affected areas to strengthen intelligence gathering through closer engagement with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups.
He said information available to residents could assist security agencies in identifying criminal elements and disrupting their activities.
“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,” he said.
IGP Warns Officers Against Political Interference
The IGP also reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to political neutrality, warning officers against using their positions or the authority of the Force to advance the interests of political parties, candidates or their sponsors.
He maintained that the police owed allegiance to the Constitution and the Nigerian people, adding that all political parties, candidates, supporters and eligible voters were entitled to equal protection under the law.
“Our allegiance is to the Constitution and the Nigerian people,” Disu declared.
He warned that officers found collaborating with political actors, facilitating political thuggery, undermining electoral integrity or interfering with voters’ rights would face disciplinary action in accordance with the law.
“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.
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