The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police personnel assigned to election security ahead of the 2027 general elections and ordered an intensified crackdown on bandits nationwide.
Disu also directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility, and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks, and gave Commissioners of Police in affected states 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements.
The police chief announced the directives on Wednesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
The IGP, 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 IGP announced the cancellation of leave for officers and men assigned election security duties, while restricting the movement of senior officers outside their commands.
