The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police personnel assigned to election security duties ahead of the 2027 general elections, while ordering an intensified nationwide crackdown on banditry.
Disu also directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks, giving Commissioners of Police in the 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 senior strategic officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
Acknowledging the continued attacks in some states, the IGP called for intensified intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters and local vigilante groups to improve intelligence gathering.
He further directed Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process, warning that travel outside their areas of responsibility must receive approval from Force Headquarters.
On election preparedness, Disu ordered police commands to verify the readiness of their security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected by the end of the week.
He also warned officers against political interference, thuggery and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the 2027 elections, stressing that any personnel found compromising the electoral process would face disciplinary action.
Meanwhile, the IGP disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference.
He added that 95 kidnapped victims had been rescued, while 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles were recovered within the period.
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The police chief also directed Commissioners of Police to ensure the payment of outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty.
He further ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation gaps and other pressing needs, directing that the reports be submitted to his office within 30 days.
