Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has ordered the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities facing persistent terrorist and bandit attacks across Nigeria.

The directive is aimed at strengthening security operations in vulnerable areas and improving the capacity of police commands to respond to attacks threatening residents and their livelihoods.

Disu issued the order on Wednesday during the monthly strategic conference with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

As part of the new measures, the police chief directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters within 72 hours.

He also instructed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment in consultation with the affected state commands.

Acknowledging the continuing security challenges in several parts of the country, Disu said communities in areas affected by banditry remained exposed to serious threats, stressing that the police leadership would not overlook the situation.

The IGP further ordered police commands to intensify intelligence-led operations and maintain standing operational plans for high-risk locations.

To improve intelligence gathering, he directed police commanders to strengthen engagement with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups, noting that residents could provide valuable information about criminal networks operating in their communities.

Disu said the police must earn the confidence of residents and encourage them to share intelligence that could assist security operations.

Meanwhile, the police chief disclosed that the Force had arrested 218 suspected bandits and terrorists since its last strategic conference. The operations also resulted in the arrest of 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.

He added that police operatives rescued 95 kidnapped victims and recovered 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of different calibres and 116 stolen vehicles during the period.

Despite the reported operational gains, the IGP acknowledged that the scale of insecurity in some communities required more sustained action and stronger security coordination.

There has been growing concerns over persistent banditry, kidnappings and attacks on rural communities, particularly in parts of northern Nigeria, where armed groups continue to threaten lives, disrupt farming activities and displace residents.

Strengthening police capacity is also part of the federal government’s broader effort to improve internal security and enable the military to gradually concentrate on its primary defence responsibilities.