The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Egbetokun, has issued fresh operational directives to strengthen internal security across the country, ordering an expanded nationwide deployment of police personnel ahead of the yuletide season.
This followed a high-level strategic conference held on Thursday at the Peacekeeping Hall, Force Headquarters, Abuja, where the IGP met with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force.
In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, said the IGP commended senior officers for their resilience and sacrifices in ensuring public safety, while directing them to “reinforce intelligence-gathering mechanisms and deepen community policing through sustained citizen engagement.”
According to Hundeyin, the IGP further instructed all Commissioners of Police and tactical commanders to ensure “the lawful and professional protection of vulnerable communities and immediately scale up visible policing through expanded deployment of personnel nationwide to deter crime and reassure the public of their safety.”
Addressing the ongoing implementation of the Presidential Directive on the withdrawal of police personnel from VIP security duties, Hundeyin said the IGP described the measure as essential for strengthening frontline policing operations.
“So far, 11,566 officers have been withdrawn from VIP security assignments. These personnel will be promptly redeployed to bolster nationwide policing efforts,” he quoted the IGP as saying.
Reaffirming the unwavering commitment of the Police Force to national security, Hundeyin added that the IGP assured Nigerians that the Force “will continue to intensify all necessary measures to ensure a safe, secure, and peaceful environment for every citizen, resident or visitor.”
