IG orders fresh deployment to bandit-hit communities

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 the Force Headquarters within 72 hours.

The police chief gave the directives during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja on Wednesday.

The IG, who acknowledged that bandit attacks were still ongoing in some states, said the police would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with local communities to tackle the security challenges.

He directed 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.

“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,” he said.

Disu added that the police would not ignore the security situation in affected communities, stressing that the Force must demonstrate its commitment through concrete actions.

“The bandits do not rest. Neither shall we,” he declared.

On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the IG announced the cancellation of leave for officers and men assigned election security duties, while restricting the movement of senior officers outside their commands.

He directed all Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process, adding that any travel outside their areas of responsibility must receive express 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.

The police chief also ordered Commissioners of Police to verify the readiness of election security equipment, communications facilities, mobility and protective gear and submit reports 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.

Disu warned police officers against allowing themselves to be used by politicians 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, irrespective of their political affiliations.

“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 further cautioned officers against allowing politicians to exploit their positions, stressing that the Force would apply its disciplinary procedures against erring personnel.

“The Nigeria Police Force is not a tool for any politician, any party or any interest. If you allow yourself to be used, you will face the consequences alone.

“Protect the process, protect the people, and protect your own career and reputation. Do not be used,” the IG said.

Meanwhile, 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.

He added that the Force rescued 95 kidnap victims, recovered 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles within the period.

The IG commended police personnel involved in the operations, saying their courage and commitment had contributed to the achievements recorded by the Force.

He also directed Commissioners of Police to ensure that outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty were paid without further delay.

He said, “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.”

Disu urged senior officers to strengthen supervision, discipline and operational effectiveness, warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.

He also directed that a welfare audit be conducted across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation gaps and other pressing needs, with the reports to reach his office within 30 days.

Banditry and kidnapping remain major security challenges in parts of Nigeria, particularly across the North-West and North-Central regions.

Armed groups have carried out raids on rural communities, abducted residents, rustled livestock and disrupted farming and other economic activities.

The International Organisation for Migration has continued to document attacks on communities in states including Katsina and Zamfara, while the European Union Agency for Asylum has identified banditry-related violence and kidnappings as threats affecting both the North-West and North-Central regions.