Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned that officers who collude with politicians, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights during the coming elections will face disciplinary action.
Speaking at Wednesday’s conference with strategic senior officers in Abuja, Disu also ordered immediate reinforcements to areas hit by banditry and gave affected police commissioners seventy-two hours to submit fresh threat assessments.
“Bandit attacks are continuing, and communities remain under threat.”
That was the Inspector-General’s assessment as he met senior commanders at Force Headquarters in Abuja.
His directive: identify the threats, spell out operational needs and strengthen police presence in the worst-hit areas.
Disu ordered the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Operations to coordinate additional personnel, mobility and air support.
Commissioners of Police in affected states have seventy-two hours to submit their assessments.
With elections approaching, the IGP told commanders that every party, candidate and voter must receive equal protection.
Officers who compromise that duty, he warned, will face disciplinary action.
Commissioners of Police and senior officers must remain in their commands unless Force Headquarters approves their travel.
Commands must also confirm their election equipment is ready by the end of the week.
Reviewing operations since the last conference, Disu reported the arrest of two hundred and eighteen banditry and terrorism suspects, alongside fifty-nine suspected kidnappers.
Police also rescued ninety-five kidnap victims and recovered three hundred and six firearms.
For families of officers killed on duty, he ordered outstanding death benefits paid without further delay.
Commissioners of Police must personally verify pending cases, while a wider audit of personnel welfare is due within thirty days.
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(Editor: Roluke Ogundele)
