IGP Tasks Police Chiefs on Collaboration, Surveillance

The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, has called on Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to strengthen surveillance and deepen collaboration with other security agencies nationwide.
Disu made the call on Tuesday in Abuja during a conference with Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of CP and above.
He said the Nigeria Police Force had recorded successes in recent months in combatting terrorism, kidnapping, banditry, armed robbery, cult-related violence, cybercrime and other organised criminal activities.
“Criminal activities have continued to evolve and we must evolve faster than them.
“That means every strategic commander needs to sharpen intelligence, strengthen surveillance, improve visibility policing, and deepen collaboration with our sister agencies.
“Every department must be guided by credible intelligence and a sound assessment of the threats, not amidst of routine,” he said.
The I-G said success in the fight against criminality was not measured by the number of operations undertaken but the security outcomes produced by the operations.
According to him, I expect every CP to build a command-specific strategy that will reflect realities on the ground in the previous days.
“Every operation, successful or not, should be reviewed after completion, to capture what works, fix what did not, and build those lessons into how we operate, going forward,” he said.
He said effective policing starts with effective leadership, adding that the CPs and strategic commanders were the custodians of public confidence in their commands.
“I expect every CP to lead with purpose, keep your command operationally ready and own officers to standard of professionalism, discipline and respect for the rights of every citizen.
“Corruption, especially abuse of authority, unlawful detention and any other form of unethical conduct undermines everything we are trying to build and so, will not be tolerated at any level,” he said.
Disu said the force had arrested 1,198 suspects over kidnapping, armed robbery, cultism, banditry, unlawful possession of firearms and other criminal offences nationwide.
The I-G said 117 of the suspects were arrested over armed robbery, 121, kidnapping, 104, cultism, and 169, unlawful possession of firearms.
He said 166 kidnap victims were rescued with recovery of 166 various firearms, 1,475 rounds of ammunition of various calibers and 47 stolen vehicles.
According to him, behind every one of these achievements is an officer who did the job so well, often at the risk.
The I-G said the successful rescue of the abducted students and teachers in Oyo was of a particular mention.
“It is a clear example of what can be achieved when Nigerian security agencies work together with a genuine sense of common purpose, which was what we all did together.
“The operation succeeded because of close collaboration between Nigerian Police Force, the Armed Forces, other security and intelligence agencies, and the public who came forward with timely and credible information.
“I commend every officer and operator who took part. Your professionalism and courage brought rescue to life safely and reaffirmed something we should never lose sight of,” he said.
The I-G commended the public whose information made the rescue operation successful adding that, lasting security depends on genuine partnership between the police and the community.