The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has approved the deployment of Deputy Inspectors-General of Police (DIGs) to the nation’s geopolitical zones as part of a new strategy aimed at strengthening security coordination and enhancing operational effectiveness across the country.
The deployment, which takes effect from June 15, 2026, was announced during the monthly conference of strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to the IGP, the initiative is designed to bring strategic leadership closer to operational areas, improve supervision, deepen accountability and ensure swift responses to emerging security threats nationwide.
Under the new arrangement, the DIGs will work closely with Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police (CPs) to strengthen operational oversight and ensure the effective implementation of policing directives.
In a related development, IGP Disu directed all Commissioners of Police across the federation to immediately establish coordinated inter-state security operations known as “Handshake Patrols” with neighbouring state commands.
The initiative is expected to improve intelligence sharing, strengthen communication among police commands and facilitate joint operations against criminal elements operating across state boundaries.
The police chief noted that criminals often take advantage of jurisdictional gaps by committing crimes in one state and fleeing to another to evade arrest.
He therefore charged Commissioners of Police to maintain constant engagement with neighbouring commands, conduct coordinated patrols along major highways and border routes, and adopt a regional approach in tackling security challenges.
The Inspector-General reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to intelligence-led policing, strategic coordination and inter-agency collaboration aimed at safeguarding lives and property and improving public safety across Nigeria.
