The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by terrorist attacks across Nigeria.

Mr Disu gave the directive on Wednesday during a livestreamed monthly strategic conference with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. The conference was livestreamed on the police’s official Facebook handle.

He also directed commissioners of police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters within 72 hours.

Mr Disu acknowledged that bandit attacks were continuing in some states, warning that the police would not ignore the threats facing affected communities.

“Bandit attacks are ongoing in some states across the federation, and communities in those areas continue to face real threats to their safety and livelihood,” he said. “This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise.”

He directed the Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police in charge of operations to coordinate the deployment in consultation with the affected state commands.

“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,” he said.

Mr Disu said intelligence-led operations must be intensified, while every police command must maintain a standing operational plan for its high-risk areas.

He also called for stronger community intelligence, directing police commanders to engage traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups to improve information gathering.

“The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us,” he said.

Mr Disu said the police must demonstrate its commitment to protecting affected communities through concrete action.

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

The directive comes as the federal government seeks to strengthen the police to enable the military to gradually withdraw from internal security operations.

Defence Minister Christopher Musa said last week that the armed forces were overstretched by prolonged deployments across the country and would gradually return to their primary responsibilities as the police improved their capacity.

He said the government was investing in police recruitment, training and equipment to enable the force to handle domestic security challenges more effectively.

Police record operational successes

Despite the security challenges, Mr Disu said the police had recorded operational successes through intelligence-led policing, strategic deployment and collaboration with other security agencies.

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He said that since the last strategic conference, the police had arrested 218 suspected bandits and terrorists, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.

The police, he said, also rescued 95 kidnapped victims and recovered 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles.

Mr Disu commended police personnel for their courage, professionalism and commitment, saying their efforts had contributed to the achievements.

He also paid tribute to police officers killed in the line of duty since the last conference.

“Behind every successful operation are personnel who continue to put their lives on the line in the service of our nation. Let me also pause to honour our fallen colleagues, officers and men who paid the supreme price in the line of duty since our last conference,” he said.

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IGP orders additional deployment to communities affected by terror attacks

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