The Inspector-General of Police, IGP, Mr. Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, DIGs, to their respective zones with effect from June 15.
Disu gave the order on Tuesday in Abuja during his conference with the Strategic Police Managers, consisting of officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police, CPs.
The I-G said the order aimed to strengthen supervision, improve operational coordination, enhance accountability and provide strategic oversight of policing activities within their zones.
He said the DIGs were expected to work closely with the Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, AIGs, and CPs in their various zones to ensure that operational directives were effectively implemented and measurable results achieved.
He said: “Let me make it clear that this deployment is not ceremonial; it is intended to bring leadership closer to the field, improve response mechanisms and ensure that emergency reports receive prompt attention.”
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police (CPs) to immediately establish what he termed “handshake paroles” coordinated security operations designed to prevent criminals from committing offences in one state and escaping into another.
Accordingly,” CPs are to establish coordinated patrols along major entries and exit routes of their various states.
“Intelligence sharing mechanisms should be strengthened, operational communication channels kept open at all times and joint responses initiated whenever circumstances require.
“I expect CPs to maintain direct communications with their counterparts in their neighboring states and to jointly review security deployments on a regular basis.” said the IGP.
“Security must be approached from the original rather than purely territorial perspective”.
He urged the senior officers to maintain professional and constructive engagement with the media, adding that the force’s relationship with the media should not be limited to announcing arrest or personal successes.
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Disu emphasized the importance of media relations, noting that public perception strongly influences confidence in the police and operational outcomes.
He explained that while the force’s primary responsibility remains intervention and reinforcement, effective communication is essential to shaping public understanding of policing efforts.
He therefore encouraged officers to maintain professional and constructive engagement with the media, stressing that the relationship should go beyond announcing arrests or personal achievements to include timely clarification of facts and information.
“Your relationship with the media must also involve timely clarification of facts and information.” Disu added
Disu reiterated that force would not surrender the information space to criminals or individuals seeking to undermine public confidence in the Nigerian Police Force.
According to him, equally important is the need to deepen our commitment to community policing that may reiterate a fundamental truth.
“The police cannot effectively secure Nigeria without the active support and partnership of the communities.” he said
He emphasized that community policing was not a slogan or a programmed that existed only on paper, but a practical policing philosophy.
“The philosophy recognizes that security is best achieved when enforcement agencies go into genuine partnership with citizens.”
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