The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has directed strategic commanders across the country to intensify intelligence-led policing, warning that evolving security threats require proactive strategies, continuous operational reviews and stronger collaboration with other security agencies.
Speaking on Tuesday at 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 said the country’s security environment remains challenging despite notable successes recorded in recent months.
He stressed that terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cult-related violence, cybercrime and other organised criminal activities continue to evolve, urging Commissioners of Police to develop command-specific security strategies tailored to the realities in their respective states.
According to him, the effectiveness of policing should not be measured by the number of operations conducted but by the security outcomes achieved.
Providing an update on the Force’s operations since the last conference held on June 9, the IGP disclosed that police operatives arrested 1,198 suspects nationwide for various offences.
The breakdown includes 151 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 117 for armed robbery, 151 for kidnapping, 104 suspected cultists, and 169 persons for unlawful possession of firearms.
He further revealed that police operations led to the rescue of 166 kidnapped victims, while officers recovered 166 assorted firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 47 stolen vehicles.
The IGP commended officers and men of the Force for their courage, resilience and professionalism, noting that the achievements were made possible through their dedication despite difficult operational conditions.
He also singled out the successful rescue of abducted students and teachers in Oyo State as a model of effective inter-agency collaboration.
Disu said the operation succeeded because of the close cooperation between the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigeria military, other security and intelligence agencies, as well as members of the public who provided timely and credible information.
He praised all officers involved in the rescue mission, describing the operation as proof that careful planning, intelligence-driven policing and seamless collaboration among security agencies can deliver positive results.
The IGP, however, cautioned that such successes should not breed complacency but rather strengthen the resolve of security personnel to improve their operational effectiveness.
He also appealed to Nigerians to continue partnering with the police by promptly reporting suspicious activities, stressing that public cooperation remains vital in combating crime and enhancing national security.
“Every piece of information matters. If you see something, say something,” the IGP said, adding that sustained collaboration between the police and communities is essential to making the country safer.
