Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu on yesterday directed senior police officers across the country to intensify surveillance, strengthen intelligence gathering and deepen collaboration with other security agencies to effectively tackle Nigeria’s prevailing security challenges.
The directive was issued during a strategic meeting with senior police officers from the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, where the IGP also charged commanders to adopt proactive, intelligence-led policing in combating terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cultism, cybercrime and other organised crimes.
Disu said the Nigeria Police Force had recorded significant successes in recent months in the fight against criminality, but stressed that the true measure of success should not be the number of operations conducted, but the security outcomes achieved.
According to him, criminal elements continue to evolve, making it imperative for the police to remain ahead through improved intelligence, surveillance and operational strategies.
“Criminal activities have continued to evolve, and we must evolve faster than them. Every strategic commander must sharpen intelligence, strengthen surveillance, improve visibility policing and deepen collaboration with our sister security agencies.
“Every department must be guided by credible intelligence and a sound assessment of threats, not by routine,” the IGP said.
He directed every Commissioner of Police to develop command-specific security strategies tailored to the realities and peculiar threats within their jurisdictions.
“I expect every CP to build a command-specific strategy that reflects the realities on the ground. Every operation, whether successful or not, should be reviewed after completion to identify what worked, what failed and how those lessons can improve future operations,” he added.
The IGP also underscored the importance of effective leadership, describing Commissioners of Police and other strategic commanders as custodians of public confidence in their respective commands.
“Effective policing begins with effective leadership. I expect every CP to lead with purpose, keep their command operationally ready and hold officers under their command to the highest standards of professionalism, discipline and respect for the rights of every citizen,” he said.
Disu warned that his administration would not tolerate any form of professional misconduct, including corruption, abuse of office and unlawful detention.
“Corruption, especially abuse of authority, unlawful detention and every other form of unethical conduct undermine everything we are trying to build. Such conduct will not be tolerated at any level,” he warned.
Highlighting recent operational achievements, the IGP disclosed that the Force arrested 1,198 suspects nationwide for offences including kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, banditry, unlawful possession of firearms and other crimes.
A breakdown of the arrests showed that 117 suspects were apprehended for armed robbery, 121 for kidnapping, 104 for cult-related offences and 169 for unlawful possession of firearms.
He added that police operatives rescued 166 kidnapped victims, recovered 166 firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 47 stolen vehicles during the period under review.
Disu commended officers for their dedication and sacrifices, noting that every operational success was made possible by personnel who risked their lives in the line of duty.
He singled out the recent rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a model of successful inter-agency collaboration.
“It is a clear example of what can be achieved when Nigerian security agencies work together with a genuine sense of common purpose.
“The operation succeeded because of close collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, the Armed Forces, other security and intelligence agencies, and members of the public who provided timely and credible information.
“I commend every officer and operator who participated. Your professionalism and courage brought the victims home safely and reaffirmed what can be achieved through teamwork,” he said.
The IGP also applauded members of the public for providing credible intelligence that contributed to the successful rescue operation, stressing that lasting security can only be achieved through sustained partnership between the police and the communities they serve.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to strengthening intelligence-led policing, improving operational effectiveness and fostering closer cooperation with other security agencies in the ongoing fight against crime nationwide.
