Insecurity: Police assure North-Central of safer schools

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the North Central geo-political zone, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, has assured of safer schools across the states of the region, urging parents and guardians to continue to prioritise their children’s education despite the prevailing issues of insecurity.

This followed the recent abduction of school children in some parts of the country and other challenges associated with kidnapping and banditry that had hindered most parents and guardians from allowing their children to go to school.

DIG Mohammed gave the assurance on Monday in Lafia, the Nasarawa State capital, during an inspection and assessment tour of the state police command and its efforts to combat insecurity in recent times.

According to the DIG, the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had directed the adequate deployment of police personnel across the states of the North Central region to address the issue of kidnapping in schools and ensure the protection of all residents of the zone.

He added, “The IG is concerned with the security situation, not only in Niger and Kogi, but all over the states. That is why he dispatched us to go and see and have an on-the-ground assessment of what is happening.

“He directed us to also sit down with the commissioners of police to develop or to review their strategy, and also get their logistics requirements. My visit is also to encourage the officers on the ground so they can carry out their jobs more diligently and with greater commitment.

“So, that is basically what we are doing now. We are going around, sensitising the commissioners of police and the general public. There is no cause for alarm.”

DIG Mohammed further emphasised that ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Police Force is committed to ensuring that the exercise is rancour-free across the country.

Tactical police teams had been deployed to various flashpoints to maintain law and order ahead of the polls.

“The Inspector General of Police is concerned about the security situation in the country, and considering the forthcoming general election, he said it has to be crime-free for all eligible Nigerians to be able to exercise their franchise without any challenges,” he emphasised.

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Earlier in his speech, Nasarawa State Commissioner of Police, Shetima Mohammed, said the command had intensified intelligence-led policing and tactical operations to address emerging security threats across the state.

He identified kidnapping, armed robbery, cattle rustling, illegal possession of firearms and the activities of criminal gangs in forest and border communities as some of the major security challenges confronting the state.

The commissioner said the command had established strategic stop-and-search points, tactical deployments and safer highway patrol operations in identified flashpoints to deny criminals freedom of operation.

According to him, from January to date, the command arrested 35 suspects for offences including kidnapping, cultism, arson and illegal possession of firearms, while 17 kidnapped victims were rescued.

He added that operatives also recovered 13 firearms, including three AK-47 rifles, 11 rounds of ammunition, five vehicles, three motorcycles, 214 cattle and 27 sheep linked to criminal activities.

The Commissioner of Police, however, identified inadequate operational logistics, difficult terrain, interstate criminal movements and the need for improved surveillance technology as some of the challenges facing the command.

“The Nasarawa State Police Command remains fully committed to the vision and policy agenda of the Inspector General of Police aimed at ensuring public safety, protecting life and property, and maintaining law and order throughout the state.

“We shall continue to strengthen intelligence-led policing, deepen community partnership, enhance operational efficiency, and sustain pressure on criminal elements, wherever they may be found,” he added.

Our correspondent further reports that stakeholders at the meeting, including representatives of the Emir of Lafia, Isyaka Dauda; the State Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Mandy Abuluya; religious groups; and transport unions, among others, pledged continued support for the police in tackling insecurity across the state.