FEATURED
2027 Elections: IGP Cancels Police Leave, Orders Officers to Stay in Command
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 and ordered a nationwide intensification of operations against bandits.
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 strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
Acknowledging the continued threat posed by bandits in some parts of the country, Disu said the Force would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with local communities to tackle insecurity.
He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to affected areas in consultation with the respective police 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,” he said.
The IGP directed all Commissioners of Police in affected commands to submit specific threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours.
He also ordered police commands to sustain intelligence-driven operations and establish standing operational plans for high-risk areas.
Disu further called for stronger community-based intelligence gathering through traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups, noting that residents could provide vital information about the activities of bandits.
“The bandits do not rest, neither shall we,” he declared.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, the IGP ordered the immediate cancellation of leave for all police officers and men assigned election security duties.
He also directed Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to remain within their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process.
According to him, any senior officer seeking to travel outside his or her area of responsibility must obtain express approval from Force Headquarters.
“All leave is cancelled for officers and men deployed for election security duties, effective immediately.
“All Commissioners of Police and senior officers are to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process. Any travel outside your command requires express approval from Force Headquarters,” he said.
The police chief also instructed Commissioners of Police to assess the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected by the end of the week.
He further directed police commands to establish direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure effective security arrangements.
Disu warned officers against allowing politicians to influence their conduct or compromise the integrity of the electoral process.
He maintained that the police would remain politically neutral and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters, irrespective of their political affiliations.
“I will not tolerate any officer using the authority of the police to advance the interest of any political party, candidate or sponsor.
“Any officer found to be colluding with political actors, facilitating thuggery, compromising the integrity of the electoral process or interfering with the rights of voters will be disciplined according to the law,” he warned.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force was not a tool for politicians or political parties and cautioned personnel against allowing themselves to be used for unlawful activities.
Meanwhile, Disu disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference.
He added that the Force rescued 95 kidnapped victims and recovered 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles within the period.
The IGP commended officers involved in the operations, attributing the achievements to their courage and commitment to tackling crime.
On police welfare, Disu directed Commissioners of Police to ensure the immediate payment of outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty.
He said Commissioners must personally verify the status of every pending case in their respective commands to prevent further delays.
“No family of a fallen officer should be left to struggle alone,” he said.
The police chief also urged senior officers to strengthen supervision, discipline and operational effectiveness, warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and the unlawful use of force.
He further ordered a comprehensive welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation challenges and other pressing welfare needs.
He directed that the reports be submitted to his office within 30 days.
2027 Elections: IGP Cancels Police Leave, Orders Officers to Stay in Command
Why Police Avert Communal Crisis as Youths Clash Over Colleague’s Death in Kaduna
ADC Tackles Tinubu Over 2027 Manifesto, Says APC Recycling Failed Campaign Promises
EFCC Re-Arraigns Ex-Skye Bank Chairman Tunde Ayeni Over Alleged N15.3bn Fraud
2027 Elections: Police to Track, Prosecute Spreaders of Fake News – Disu
EFCC Appeals Ruling On Forfeiture Of Ex-Warri Refinery MD Yisawu’s $912,550 Assets
FG Clears Pension Backlog, Pays Federal Workers’ Benefits Up to 2029
Oando Rolls Out More Electric Buses In Lagos After 788,000 Passengers
NERC Approves N30bn Fund to Provide Free Electricity Meters, Sets May 2027 Deadline
Omo-Agege Denies Ordering Dafinone To Vote Against Akpabio
Any President Would Have Removed Fuel Subsidy — Okowa Defends Tinubu
Tinubu Unveils 2027 Manifesto, Promises 78,000 Security Personnel, 10,000MW Power
Truck Driver Flees as Mazda Bus Crash Kills Passenger, Injures 3 on Lagos-Ibadan Expressway
Delta Police Arrest 54-Year-Old Woman for Faking Kidnap to Extort N15m From Brother
Tinubu Launches N52,500 Minimum Monthly Pension for 173,209 Retirees
