The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has approved the redeployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to various regions of the country as part of efforts to improve security operations and tackle rising criminal activities.
The new deployment, which takes effect from June 15, was announced on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting between the IGP and Strategic Police Managers, a gathering of senior officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police and above.
Speaking at the conference, Disu said the move was aimed at bringing senior leadership closer to operational areas and improving the coordination of security activities across the country.
According to him, the assigned DIGs will work directly with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police within their zones to ensure that policing strategies are properly carried out and that security targets are met.
The police chief stressed that the latest postings should not be viewed as routine administrative changes.
“Let me make it clear that this deployment is not ceremonial; it is intended to bring leadership closer to the field, improve response mechanism, and ensure that emergency reports receive prompts attention.”
The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police across the federation to establish coordinated “handshake” patrols with neighbouring commands. The initiative is designed to prevent criminals from taking advantage of state boundaries to evade arrest after carrying out attacks.
He noted that offenders often commit crimes in one state and escape into another, creating challenges for security agencies. To address this, he directed police commands to strengthen collaboration through joint patrols, intelligence sharing and regular operational reviews.
Disu instructed state police commissioners to maintain direct communication with their counterparts in neighbouring states and to work together whenever security situations require immediate joint action.
He said policing should not be limited by territorial boundaries, adding that security threats must be approached from a broader and more strategic perspective.
The Inspector-General also called on senior police officers to improve their relationship with the media, saying public confidence in the force depends partly on timely and accurate communication.
He urged officers to go beyond publicising arrests and operational successes by providing clarifications on important security issues whenever necessary.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force will not allow criminal elements or individuals with ulterior motives to dominate the information space or undermine public trust in the institution.
Disu further renewed his call for stronger community policing, describing it as an essential part of modern law enforcement.
He said the police cannot effectively secure the country without the support and active participation of local communities, insisting that community policing is a practical security approach rather than a mere slogan.
