IG Deploys DIGs to Zones, Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Unregistered Vehicles

Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors General of Police (DIGs) to their respective geopolitical zones as part of efforts to strengthen security operations and improve policing across the country.

 

The deployment, which takes effect from June 15, 2026, was announced during a conference with senior police officers in Abuja on Tuesday.

 

According to the IGP, the initiative is aimed at bringing police leadership closer to operational areas, improving coordination, strengthening accountability and enhancing oversight of policing activities nationwide.

 

“In furtherance of our operational objective, I have approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors General of Police to their respective geopolitical zones with effect from Monday, June 15, 2026,” Disu said.

 

“This initiative is designed to strengthen supervision, improve operational coordination, enhance accountability and provide strategic oversight of policing activities within their zones.”

 

He stressed that the deployment was intended to improve response mechanisms and ensure that security threats receive prompt attention.

 

The IGP directed the DIGs to work closely with Assistant Inspectors General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to ensure effective implementation of operational directives and measurable results.

 

As part of measures to tackle cross-border crimes, Disu also instructed commissioners in neighbouring states to establish coordinated “handshake patrols” along shared boundaries.

 

He noted that criminals often exploit jurisdictional gaps by committing offences in one state and fleeing to another.

 

“Too often offenders exploit the jurisdictional gap by committing crimes in one state and escaping to another,” he said.

 

The police chief urged commanders to maintain open intelligence-sharing channels and undertake joint security operations where necessary, emphasizing that security challenges should be addressed through regional cooperation rather than isolated state-based approaches.

 

Disu also ordered an immediate nationwide enforcement campaign against vehicles operating without registration number plates.

 

He warned that the police would no longer tolerate violations of vehicle registration laws.

 

“Every vehicle operating on our roads must be properly registered and must display its approved registration number in accordance with the law,” he said.

 

“Any vehicle found without number plates or with a deliberately obscured, concealed or tampered registration number will be stopped, grounded and subjected to the appropriate legal process.”

 

The IGP linked the use of unregistered vehicles to criminal activities, noting that kidnappers, terrorists and other offenders often use such vehicles to evade identification and detection.

 

He directed all Commissioners of Police and tactical commanders to intensify enforcement operations without favoritism or selective application of the law.

 

Providing an update on recent police operations, Disu disclosed that security personnel arrested eight suspected terrorists, 29 murder suspects, 65 armed robbery suspects, 55 kidnapping suspects and 42 other criminal suspects.

 

He added that officers recovered 843 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 28 stolen vehicles, while 88 kidnapped victims were successfully rescued.