The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to states battling persistent bandit attacks across the country.
The directive came amid growing concerns over insecurity and renewed attacks on vulnerable communities, with the police chief acknowledging that several areas remain exposed to criminal activities despite recent operational successes.
Disu gave the order on Wednesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, held at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The IGP disclosed that the police had arrested 611 suspects for various offences, including banditry, terrorism, armed robbery, murder, kidnapping and cultism since the last strategic conference.
He said the arrests comprised 218 suspected bandits and terrorists, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.
According to him, police operatives also rescued 95 kidnapped victims, recovered 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and 116 stolen vehicles within the period under review.
Despite the achievements, the police boss admitted that the security situation in some parts of the country remained troubling, insisting that more decisive measures were required to protect vulnerable communities.
He consequently directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours.
The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations was also instructed to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility assets and air support to areas most affected by banditry.
Disu further called for intensified intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups to improve intelligence gathering and prevent criminal attacks.
He maintained that local communities possessed valuable information about criminal networks, urging residents to develop confidence in security agencies and provide useful intelligence.
“The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us,” he said.
Meanwhile, the IGP has ordered the immediate settlement of outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of police officers who died in active service.
He directed Commissioners of Police to personally verify all pending cases involving the entitlements of fallen officers in their respective commands, stressing that families of deceased personnel must not be abandoned to financial hardship.
While commending officers for their sacrifices and operational achievements, Disu warned that the police must demonstrate their commitment to public safety through visible and measurable actions.
He said public confidence in the police was not automatic but something that must be earned through professionalism, accountability and effective service delivery.
“The Nigerian people did not elect any of us. We wear this uniform to protect them, and their confidence in us is not an entitlement. It is something we must earn every day through visible action. The bandits do not rest. Neither shall we,” the IGP stated.