By Jane Salihu
The ongoing abduction of schoolchildren in Oyo State has prompted sweeping operational measures by the Nigeria Police Force, with Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Rilwan Disu announcing the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General across the country’s geopolitical zones and a nationwide enforcement campaign against vehicles operating without proper registration numbers.
Speaking on Tuesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers at the Goodluck Ebele Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters, Abuja, the IGP described the rescue mission for the abducted pupils as an active operation and assured Nigerians that every available security resource was being deployed to secure their safe return.
“The full operational capacity of the Force, in coordination with sister security agencies, has been committed to securing their safe return. We are making progress, and we will not rest until every child is brought home safely,” Disu said.
The police chief’s announcement came amid growing concerns over recurring school abductions and kidnapping incidents across the country.
As part of measures aimed at strengthening command oversight and improving operational effectiveness, Disu approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police to their respective geopolitical zones beginning June 15, 2026.
According to him, the initiative is designed to enhance supervision, improve operational coordination, strengthen accountability and ensure closer strategic oversight of policing activities nationwide.
“This deployment is not ceremonial. It is intended to bring leadership closer to the field, improve response mechanisms and ensure that emerging security threats receive prompt and coordinated attention,” he stated.
The IGP also directed Commissioners of Police to establish coordinated “Handshake Patrols” with neighbouring states to close jurisdictional gaps often exploited by criminals.
Under the arrangement, police commands sharing boundaries are expected to conduct joint patrols along major entry and exit routes, strengthen intelligence-sharing mechanisms and maintain constant communication to facilitate swift responses to security threats.
Highlighting recent successes recorded by the Force, Disu disclosed that since the last strategic conference in May, police operatives had arrested eight suspected terrorists, 55 kidnapping suspects, 65 armed robbery suspects, 29 murder suspects and 42 suspected cultists.
He added that 88 kidnapped victims were rescued during the period, while officers recovered 114 firearms, 843 rounds of ammunition and 28 stolen vehicles.
The IGP cited a recent intelligence-led operation in the Federal Capital Territory where five suspected kidnappers were intercepted and arrested before allegedly carrying out planned attacks within Abuja.
In what appears to be a major policy response to the increasing use of anonymous vehicles in criminal activities, the police chief ordered immediate nationwide enforcement against vehicles operating without registration plates or with concealed, altered, defaced or covered number plates.
Disu warned that such vehicles would henceforth be stopped, impounded and subjected to legal processes.
“Vehicle registration is not merely an administrative requirement. It is a critical component of crime prevention, intelligence gathering and national security,” he said.
He noted that kidnappers, terrorists and other criminal elements frequently exploit unregistered or improperly identified vehicles to evade security agencies and perpetrate crimes.
The IGP consequently directed all Commissioners of Police, Tactical Commanders and Heads of Formations to intensify enforcement operations across the country, stressing that there would be no preferential treatment for violators.
“There shall be no selective enforcement. The law must apply equally to all, and anyone who chooses to disregard this directive will face the full consequences of the law,” he warned.
Disu also charged senior police officers to strengthen community policing efforts, deepen engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders, and improve strategic communication with the media to counter misinformation and build public trust.
He expressed confidence that through intelligence-led policing, stronger inter-state collaboration and active community participation, the Force would continue to make progress in tackling kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and other security threats confronting the nation.
