Banditry: IGP deploys extra officers, air help to affected states

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered the rapid deployment of extra police personnel, mobility and air help to states affected by bandit assaults.

Disu directed Commissioners of Police within the affected instructions to submit up to date safety menace assessments and operational necessities inside 72 hours.

The Police boss gave the directive on Wednesday on the month-to-month convention with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) on the Force Headquarters, Abuja, the place he acknowledged that bandit assaults remained ongoing in some elements of the nation, with communities persevering with to face threats to their security and livelihoods.

The IGP, who stated the police management wouldn’t faux that the safety scenario was underneath management,, directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) accountable for operations to coordinate the rapid deployment of extra personnel, mobility and air help to essentially the most affected areas in session with the instructions involved.

Disu additionally ordered all instructions to maintain and intensify intelligence-led operations, insisting that each command should keep a standing operational plan for its high-risk zones.

He additional directed police instructions in affected areas to deepen group intelligence by participating conventional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations, and native vigilante teams, and incorporating them into the police intelligence structure.

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

The police chief acknowledged that the Force’s operational successes have been important however cautioned that the figures didn’t totally mirror the safety challenges confronting the nation.

“Distinguished colleagues, 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,” he stated.

While commending officers and males for his or her braveness, professionalism and dedication, Disu paid tribute to police personnel who misplaced their lives within the line of responsibility for the reason that final convention.

He disclosed that he had directed the rapid clearance of all excellent loss of life advantages and entitlements owed to households of fallen officers and males.

According to the Police boss, Commissioners of Police (CPs) have additionally been directed to personally confirm the standing of each pending case of their respective instructions.

“No family of a fallen officer should be left to struggle alone,” he declared.

The IGP additionally stated the NPF would stay strictly non-partisan because the nation approaches one other electoral interval, warning officers towards utilizing their positions to advance the pursuits of political events, candidates, or their sponsors.

He stated the police’s accountability was to ensure a secure and safe atmosphere for all electoral individuals, no matter their political affiliations, stressing that each candidate, political get together, supporter and eligible voter was entitled to equal safety underneath the regulation.

“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,” Disu stated.

To guarantee satisfactory preparations for election safety, the IGP ordered the cancellation of go away for officers and males deployed for election safety duties, efficient instantly.

He additionally directed all CPs and senior officers to stay of their respective instructions till the conclusion of the electoral course of, warning that any journey outdoors their instructions would require categorical approval from Force Headquarters.

The police chief additional directed that every one election safety gear, communications services, mobility and protecting gear have to be verified, with studies confirming their readiness submitted by the top of the week.

He stated police instructions should set up direct coordination with officers of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the navy, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps of their respective states.

According to Disu, the police remained the lead company for election safety and should show management via efficient collaboration relatively than rivalry or friction with different safety companies.

He additionally directed each command to submit day by day scenario studies to Force Headquarters all through the electoral interval, with the DIG accountable for Operations accountable for coordinating the studies and briefing him immediately each morning.

He emphasised the necessity for satisfactory coaching, correct supervision {and professional} gear for personnel deployed for election duties.

The IGP acknowledged ongoing election safety coaching initiatives throughout the Force, together with the current nationwide coaching facilitated by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, however insisted these efforts should translate into operational readiness, self-discipline, and efficient service supply.

He warned officers towards permitting themselves for use by politicians, saying anybody discovered compromising the electoral course of would face the Force’s full disciplinary procedures.

“Let me be direct with every officer here and every officer listening across the country: 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. The Force has clear disciplinary procedures, and it will apply them fully to anyone found wanting. Protect the process, protect the people, and protect your own career and reputation. Do not be used,” he stated.

On self-discipline and public confidence, Disu charged senior officers with guaranteeing that corruption, extortion, abuse of authority, illegal use of pressure, and different types of misconduct weren’t tolerated of their respective instructions.

He stated senior officers have been accountable for sustaining requirements throughout the Force and urged them to make sure that self-discipline started with management and was sustained at each stage.

“The uniform confers responsibility, not immunity,” he added.

The IGP famous that public belief within the police remained a piece in progress, observing that too many Nigerians nonetheless hesitated to report crimes for worry of what may occur afterwards.

He consequently directed each command to ascertain a transparent, accessible and publicised complaints response mechanism for the electoral interval and past.

He stated each grievance of police misconduct have to be documented, investigated and resolved inside a specified timeline.

Disu additionally referred to as on law enforcement officials to keep up common, skilled and clear interactions with journalists, notably throughout the electoral interval, when misinformation and faux information may very well be weaponised.

He stated the police should counter false narratives with info promptly and professionally, simply as he directed a complete welfare audit throughout police instructions to establish excellent personnel entitlements, lodging gaps and different urgent welfare wants.

He stated the outcomes of the train have to be submitted to his workplace inside 30 days.

While acknowledging the demanding nature of policing and the pressures related to operational obligations, Disu urged Commissioners of Police to concentrate to the bodily and psychological wellbeing of personnel underneath their command.

He inspired senior officers to advertise acceptable help programs and create an atmosphere the place officers might search help with out worry of stigma.

“Policing is a demanding profession, and the pressures associated with operational responsibilities can take a toll on our officers. I expect Commissioners of Police to be attentive to the physical and psychological welfare of personnel under their command, encourage appropriate support systems and create an environment where officers can seek assistance without fear of stigma,” he stated.

The IGP reiterated that the welfare audit should establish personnel’s precise wants, insisting he anticipated concrete findings relatively than assurances.

“The results must reach my office within 30 days. I want facts, not assurances,” he stated.

Disu thanked President Bola Tinubu for his continued help for the Nigeria Police Force and recommended officers and males for his or her dedication and sacrifices within the service of the nation.

He urged senior officers to return to their respective instructions with renewed dedication, stronger supervision, and a transparent dedication to delivering measurable outcomes.

The police chief stated the Force can be judged by its capacity to guard Nigerians throughout the electoral interval and be sure that communities going through safety threats acquired the required police presence.

“When this electoral period is over, and when history looks back on this moment, no Nigerian should be able to say that the police failed them. Every polling unit must open. Every voter must vote. Every community under threat must see our presence. And every officer who wears this uniform must do so with honour,” he stated.