The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Usman Baba has ordered the deployment of watertight security arrangements to cover all schools, hospitals, health workers, and critical national infrastructure across the country.
According to a statement by Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP also ordered regular patrols, stop-and-search, raids, and show of force by tactical commanders to clamp down on crime and criminality in the country.
He directed Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and the 36 police commissioners, and that of the Federal Capital Territory to prioritise the use of intelligence gathering networks, particularly traditional/local intelligence, to locate criminal hideouts and flush them out before they could strike.
The statement explained that the IGP gave the directive while reviewing the general security situation in Nigeria following reports from commands and formations across the country.
The statement stated: “He (the IGP) has equally charged all officers and men to be on the offensive, and take the fight against crime to the doorposts of suspected criminal elements, including bushes and uncompleted buildings, profile them, and charge those found wanting to court accordingly.
“Against the backdrop of this development, Nigerians are hereby urged to cooperate with the police, as many police operatives will be seen at strategic areas, routes and communities, in order to suppress the antics and criminal activities of men of the underworld.”
Baba also warned officers and men of the Nigeria Police to be civil, professional and humane in the course of their duties.
It said: “The Inspector-General of Police, therefore, reiterated his commitment to the protection of lives and property of well-meaning members of the public by decimating the activities of rogue criminal elements, particularly, those who target schools, hospitals, and other critical national infrastructure, in a bid to strike fear into the hearts of good citizens in the country.
“He has similarly charged police officers to protect with courage and serve with compassion in line with his administration’s policing theme”.
