The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, deployed a special squad to arrest the rising violence across the country.
He ordered all Police Mobile Force squadrons to maintain at least one fully equipped, combat-ready unit on constant standby, effective immediately.
He gave the directive during a meeting with Squadron Commanders in Abuja on Tuesday, as bandits struck in Kwara, Benue and Sokoto States, killing 21 persons.
In the past weeks, the attacks on hapless citizens have escalated with increased attacks reported in Plateau, Benue, Enugu and other parts of the country.
Addressing his squadron commanders during the meeting, the IG stressed that the standby units must be prepared to provide rapid support to state commands in times of crisis, high-risk operations, or emergency interventions.
Egbetokun said, “The PMF was created as a strike force – to be swift, decisive and combat-ready. Effective immediately, all PMF squadrons are directed to maintain at least one fully equipped, combat-ready unit on standby at all times.
“These units must be prepared to support their respective state commands in any situation requiring urgent tactical intervention. Additionally, each squadron will be required to send one unit for training every quarter.
“These sessions will go beyond operational proficiency, placing strong emphasis on ethics, professionalism and the principles of responsible policing.”
He also said squadrons will undergo size reviews and reorganisation to boost efficiency and agility.
Egbetokun further noted, ‘’Currently, squadron sizes will be reviewed and reduced to ensure operational effectiveness and agility. From this moment, PMF commanders will be held vicariously responsible for the conduct of their personnel.
“You are expected to lead proactively through regular lectures, inspections and localised training programmes that reinforce discipline, respect for human rights and operational excellence.”
Restating the withdrawal of mobile policemen from escort duties, the IG noted with concern that this has drained the PMF’s tactical effectiveness.
“As you are aware, directives have already been issued concerning the withdrawal of PMF personnel from authorised deployments. It is the duty of all commanders to enforce this directive without delay. A firm but gradual withdrawal from non-core assignments is underway.
“The priority now is to refocus our strength and personnel towards combating violent crimes and safeguarding national security. We will also inject new leadership perspectives, strategic approaches and continuous capacity-building initiatives aimed at restoring the PMF to its rightful place as a dominant force in internal security and a model of tactical excellence,’’ he stated.
The police boss declared that indiscipline among the mobile police officers will no longer be tolerated.
“The Nigeria Police Force will no longer allow the values, standards and discipline that once defined the police mobile force to be undermined.
“As a strike force of the Nigerian Police Force, the PMF carries an immense responsibility to confront armed threats, insurgency and criminal violence with integrity and courage,’’ added.
Meanwhile, the serenity of Ilesha Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State was shattered on Tuesday by gunmen who launched a deadly attack on a relaxation spot in a motor park, leaving six persons dead.
Also, a vigilante was gunned down in Kemanji, Kaiama LGA, while on a patrol along the fringes of Kainji National Park.
Speaking on the unprovoked attacks in the state, the Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement, disclosed that the command was investigating the two incidents.
The statement said operatives have arrested an informant linked to a bandit network, adding that tactical efforts had been intensified across the affected communities.
It read, “At about 21:30hours, suspected armed men, numbering 10, stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park and opened fire indiscriminately at civilians gathered at a nearby relaxation spot.
“As a result, six persons – identified as Alhaji Ja’awire, AbdulJabar, Mohammed Nasamu, and three others – lost their lives, while two others sustained serious gunshot injuries. The deceased have been deposited at the Ilesha Baruba Morgue for autopsy, while the injured are receiving treatment.”
The police command disclosed that full security measures had been activated to bring the perpetrators to justice.
Three of the suspected bandits suffered gunshot wounds during the gun duel, while a member of the vigilante, Yusuf Samba, succumbed to gunshot injuries.
“Our investigation culminated in the arrest of an informant, who admitted to collaborating with a group of bandits. This individual has proven to be a valuable asset in advancing the investigation,” the police said.
The command assured the residents of both communities that full security architecture has been activated, including tactical teams, intensified surveillance, and intelligence-led operations aimed at restoring peace and order.
Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has led the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General O.G. Onubugu; Brigade Commander, Sobi Cantonment, Brig. Gen. E.B. Barkins; the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo and the Director, Department of State Services, Mr Michael Aganwu and Alh Aliyu Muyideen, the Senior Special Adviser on security matters to the governor, on a security assessment of Kaiama LGA.
The Monday visit focused on the security architecture within Kemenji, Karoji, and the Kainji National Park axis.
The delegation held a strategic security interface with the Emir of Kaiama, Alh Muazu Omar, and other critical stakeholders and inspected an oil mill facility before returning to Ilorin.
In the Afia community in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, a suspected bandit identified as ‘Government’ reportedly killed 11 people.
This happened some days after some armed herders invaded some communities in the Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, killing no fewer than 72 people.
Eyewitnesses claimed the suspect was mentally ill.
“He is popularly known as ‘Government’ and was mentally ill about two months ago, but was treated. He woke up Tuesday morning and shot indiscriminately, killing about 11 people,” a source told our correspondent.
The state Commissioner for Information, Mathew Abo, who confirmed the incident, however, insisted the man was a bandit.
Abo said, “I’m not aware that the man has any illness but what I gathered is that a bandit with the nickname ‘Government’ on Tuesday morning picked up a gun and shot many people to death.”
The commissioner could not confirm the casualty figure.
The spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of the incident.
Speaking during a visit to Makurdi on Tuesday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, commiserated with the government and people of Benue State over the loss of lives in the state.
The NSA, in an interview with journalists, stated that the Bola Tinubu administration inherited ‘’a bastardised situation’’ which is being confronted frontally.
According to him, the insecurity started about 15 years ago but was devoid of politics, religion and ethnicity.
He said, “The insecurity in Nigeria has been there since 2011, and we have several lives lost, and it’s not about politics, religion or ethnicity but pure criminality. It’s been ongoing for too long, it’s not only Nigeria that is a victim of this (insecurity), many countries have lost the fight against the bandits.
“Sudan has no government, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso are all under military government and they faced the same problem.”
The NSA, who referred to the situation in Afghanistan where he once worked, said the country also had similar problems.
He sought the understanding of Nigerians, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the insecurity in the country.
“The way the Federal Government is responding to insecurity today is different from the ways the past governments addressed it. The present government is a listening one, identifying the cause and tackling the issue.
“We will continue to do better, we have improved greatly from the time we came in, it’s a process, it’s a journey, it took 15 years to find ourselves where we are today and the present administration has done very well compared to what was happening in the past,” Ribadu said.
Addressing the people earlier, Ribadu said he was in the state on behalf of the President to commiserate with them and assured them of the Federal Government’s determination to combat insecurity in the state.
In the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, members of the Lakurawa terror group on Sunday unleashed a deadly overnight raid on Adarawa and Huymar Dutsi villages.
The attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles and moving on motorcycles and foot, stormed Adarawa village in the Kalanjeni Ward around 11pm, firing sporadically.
Sources said one Jamilu Hassan was shot and killed during the onslaught, while provision shops were looted, with the assailants carting away drinks and other items.
