The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to their respective zones from June 15.
Naijaonpoint reports that Disu gave the directive on Tuesday in Abuja during a conference with Strategic Police Managers, comprising officers from the rank of Commissioners of Police.
The IGP said the deployment was aimed at strengthening supervision, improving operational coordination, enhancing accountability and providing strategic oversight of policing activities across the zones.
Disu said the DIGs were expected to work closely with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police in their zones to ensure that operational directives were effectively implemented and measurable results achieved.
“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 prompt attention,” he said.
The police chief also directed Commissioners of Police to immediately establish what he described as “handshake” patrols to stop criminals from committing offences in one state and fleeing to another.
He said the practice must be disrupted through collaboration and joint operational planning among commands.
Disu said, “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 neighbouring states and to jointly review security deployments on regular basis.”
Disu said security must be approached from a regional rather than a purely territorial perspective.
He urged senior officers to ensure closer coordination among commands, especially in areas with shared boundaries and common security threats.
The IGP also called for professional and constructive engagement with the media, saying public perception could influence confidence in the police and affect operational outcomes.
Disu further stated, “I also wish to address your relationship with the media because public perception can influence confidence in our institution as well as our operational outcome.
“While our primary responsibility remains for intervention and reinforcement, we must recognise the importance of effective communication in shaping public understanding of our efforts.
“I therefore encourage you to maintain a professional and constructive engagement with the media; our relationship should not be limited to announcing arrests or personal successes.
“Your relationship with the media must also involve timely clarification of facts and information.”
Disu said the police would not surrender the information space to criminals or individuals seeking to undermine public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
The IGP also stressed the need to deepen community policing, saying the police could not secure the country without citizens’ support.
“The police cannot effectively secure Nigeria without the active support and partnership of the communities,” he said.
He added that community policing must be treated as a practical policing philosophy, not merely a slogan.
“The philosophy recognises that security is best achieved when enforcement agencies go into genuine partnership with citizens,” Disu said.
