As tensions escalate in the Middle East following the United States’ and Israel’s war on Iran, the acting Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has placed police commands across the country on red alert to forestall any spillover that could threaten internal security.
The directive, aimed at preventing the exploitation of global developments to incite unrest, was conveyed in a statement issued yesterday in Abuja by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, an acting Assistant Commissioner of Police.
According to the statement, commissioners of police in the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral geopolitical zones have been instructed to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering within their respective jurisdictions.
The acting IGP further directed them to strengthen collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces, and swiftly respond to any attempt by individuals or groups to incite unrest or sectarian tension under the guise of reacting to international events.
Disu reassured Nigerians of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property, as well as preserving national peace and unity.
He emphasised the need for proactive policing and community engagement, particularly in regions with a history of security challenges, to ensure that external conflicts do not trigger internal instability.
The police leadership also urged citizens to remain calm and law-abiding, warning against the spread of inflammatory rhetoric or misinformation capable of heightening tensions.
Security analysts note that global geopolitical crises often have ripple effects, especially in countries with diverse religious and ethnic compositions. The latest directive signals the police hierarchy’s determination to prevent any such fallout.
The acting IGP reiterated that the Force would not tolerate any act capable of undermining national cohesion, stressing that all necessary measures were being taken to maintain order and stability across the federation.
