By Stephen Simon
With rising insecurity across the country, the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, has ordered the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to their respective zonal commands with effect from June 15, in a move aimed at strengthening supervision and improving operational coordination.
The directive was issued in Abuja on Tuesday during a meeting with Strategic Police Managers, comprising Commissioners of Police (CPs). The IGP said the decision is intended to enhance accountability, improve response mechanisms, and provide closer strategic oversight of policing activities across the country.
He explained that the DIGs are expected to work closely with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and CPs within their zones to ensure effective implementation of operational directives and measurable results.
The IGP stressed that the deployment was not ceremonial, but a deliberate step to bring leadership closer to the field and ensure prompt response to emergency situations.
He also directed CPs to establish what he described as “handshake patrols” to prevent criminals from committing offences in one state and escaping into another, calling for stronger cross-border collaboration among commands.
According to him, coordinated patrols along major entry and exit routes must be established, while intelligence-sharing mechanisms and operational communication channels should be strengthened to ensure joint responses where necessary.
He urged police commanders to maintain direct communication with their counterparts in neighbouring states and conduct regular joint reviews of security deployments, noting that security must be approached from a regional rather than purely territorial perspective.
On media relations, the IGP charged senior officers to maintain professional engagement with journalists, warning that public perception plays a critical role in building confidence in the police and supporting operational effectiveness.
He said police engagement with the media should go beyond announcing arrests and successes, but also include timely clarification of facts to counter misinformation and prevent criminals from controlling the information space.
Reaffirming the importance of community policing, the IGP said effective security cannot be achieved without the active participation of citizens, describing it as a practical philosophy rather than a slogan.
He added that genuine partnership between security agencies and communities remains essential for sustaining peace and improving national security outcomes.
