Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has approved the immediate deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to all geopolitical zones across the country, with the move taking effect from June 15.
Announced during a high-level senior officers’ conference held in Abuja on Tuesday, the strategic decision seeks to strengthen operational coordination by placing top leadership closer to ground operations. The DIGs will collaborate closely with Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to improve supervision, intelligence sharing, and rapid response to security challenges. The IGP also directed the implementation of “handshake patrols” across state borders and ordered an immediate nationwide crackdown on unregistered vehicles and those with obscured number plates, which authorities link directly to criminal activities. Recent police operations under this directive have already resulted in significant arrests and the rescue of victims.
This deployment comes at a critical time as Nigeria continues to grapple with various security threats including banditry, kidnapping, and cross-border crimes. By decentralising senior command, the police leadership hopes to enhance accountability and ensure quicker decision-making in the field. Security experts believe the initiative could significantly reduce response times to distress calls and improve inter-agency collaboration at the zonal level. Public concerns over rising cases of vehicle-related crimes have mounted in recent months, making the crackdown a welcome development for many citizens.
The IGP emphasised that the reforms are part of broader efforts to professionalise policing and restore public confidence in the force. Further evaluations of the deployment’s impact are expected in the coming months as zonal commands intensify operations.Deborah Adeyefa
Source: Senior officers’ conference briefing, Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Abuja
