The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to their respective geopolitical zones as part of efforts to strengthen operational effectiveness and improve security coordination across the country.
The IGP announced this during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, adding that the deployment takes effect from June 15, 2026,
A statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Anthony Okon Placid, said the move is aimed at bringing strategic leadership closer to the field, enhancing accountability, and ensuring a faster response to emerging security threats.
Under the new arrangement, the DIGs will work closely with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police to improve operational oversight and ensure effective implementation of policing directives across the various zones.
Meanwhile, the IGP has directed all Commissioners of Police nationwide to immediately establish coordinated inter-state security operations, codenamed “Handshake Patrols,” with neighbouring state commands.
The initiative is designed to strengthen intelligence sharing, improve communication among police commands, and facilitate joint operations against criminal activities that transcend state boundaries.
Speaking on the rationale behind the directive, the IGP noted that criminal elements often exploit jurisdictional gaps by committing offences in one state and fleeing to another to evade arrest.
He, therefore, tasked Commissioners of Police to maintain regular engagement with neighbouring commands, conduct coordinated patrols along major entry and exit routes, and adopt a regional approach to tackling security challenges.
The IGP emphasized that enhanced collaboration among state commands would significantly improve the force’s capacity to prevent and respond to crime, particularly in areas affected by cross-border criminal activities.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to intelligence-led policing, strategic coordination, and inter-agency collaboration aimed at safeguarding lives and property while enhancing public safety nationwide.
