Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, the country’s highest-ranking police officer and head of the Nigeria Police Force, has directed the immediate nationwide deployment of police personnel and operational assets to ensure public safety throughout the Christmas and New Year festive period.
The directive forms part of a broader festive season security strategy by the Nigeria Police Force, the national law enforcement agency responsible for internal security across Africa’s most populous country. The instruction mandates all Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and State Commissioners of Police across Nigeria’s thirty-six states and the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, to strengthen security operations before, during, and after the celebrations.
Okay News reports that the Inspector-General emphasized intensified patrols, enhanced visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and sustained community engagement as key pillars of the nationwide security plan designed to deter crime and reassure citizens during the high-movement holiday period.
A statement issued on Monday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police Benjamin Hundeyin, explained that several specialized police units have been placed on heightened operational readiness nationwide.
“In line with the Force’s proactive security strategy for the festive season, the IGP has directed all Zonal AIGs and State Command CPs to intensify patrols, visibility policing, intelligence-led operations, and confidence-building engagements throughout the period.
“Specialized units, including the Police Mobile Force, Counter-Terrorism Unit, Explosive Ordnance Disposal Command, Intelligence Response Team, Special Tactical Squad, Special Intervention Squad, Highway Patrol, Marine Police, and the Airwing, have been placed on heightened operational readiness,” the statement partly read.
Hundeyin explained that the deployment would focus on high-traffic and sensitive locations, including places of worship, recreational centers, markets, public parks, event venues, transport terminals, major highways, critical national infrastructure, and other densely populated public spaces across the country.
He added that additional patrol teams and surveillance units had been activated to secure inter-state routes and major expressways, with a mandate to prevent road-related crimes, traffic disorder, and accidents during the peak travel period.
“Additional patrol teams and surveillance units have also been activated to cover inter-state routes and major expressways to prevent road-related crimes, traffic disorder, and accidents. The deployed officers have been charged to be firm but courteous in the discharge of their duties,” Hundeyin said.
The police spokesperson further disclosed that the Inspector-General had instructed all police commands to sustain raids on identified blackspots, forests, criminal hideouts, and flashpoints nationwide, while also strengthening inter-agency collaboration with other security and emergency response institutions.
Egbetokun also appealed directly to Nigerians to remain vigilant, celebrate responsibly, and promptly report any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or through designated emergency communication channels.
The nationwide security directive was issued less than twenty-four hours after Nigeria’s Defence Headquarters, the highest military authority in the country, announced similar precautionary measures following intelligence reports warning of possible threats during the Christmas Day celebrations.
