IGP Disu: Mobile Police to Combat Nigeria Insurgency

• Inspector-General Olatunji Disu expressed confidence in the Mobile Police Force's ability to combat insurgency and banditry across Nigeria.
• The IGP stated that the success of the federal government's security drive largely depends on the operational readiness of the Police Mobile Force.
• President Bola Tinubu has issued a clear directive to all service commanders to restore peace and quell insurgency and banditry in the country.
• The Police Mobile Force is undergoing expanded training at the Police Mobile Force Training College in Ende Hills, Nasarawa State, and has been expanded to 84 squadrons nationwide.
• Recent clearance operations have reportedly restored order in various regions, including from Lagos to Edo, and most areas in the South-East, with ongoing efforts to subdue remaining flashpoints.

The Inspector-General highlighted that officers within the Mobile Police Force possess the requisite specialized training and tactical acumen essential for confronting insurgent activities.

Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu recently articulated a strong belief in the capacity of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) to effectively combat the pervasive issues of insurgency and banditry plaguing Nigeria. Speaking on a Saturday at the Police Mobile Force Training College in Ende Hills, Nasarawa State, during the inauguration of a training program for PMF trainers and instructors, IGP Disu emphasized that the ultimate success of the federal government's concerted efforts to suppress these security challenges is intrinsically linked to the operational readiness of the Mobile Police Force. This declaration underscores a pivotal shift in Nigeria's banditry security strategy, placing the specialized unit at the forefront of national security.

The Inspector-General highlighted that officers within the Mobile Police Force possess the requisite specialized training and tactical acumen essential for confronting insurgent activities. He conveyed that the entire nation is depending on the force to deliver on its mandate, asserting that a significant reduction in insurgency would remain elusive until the Mobile Police Force achieves full operational preparedness. This strategic focus on the Olatunji Disu Police Mobile Force signals a renewed commitment to leveraging internal security assets for complex counter-insurgency operations across the country.

The IGP's remarks were made in the context of a clear directive from President Bola Tinubu, who has issued explicit marching orders to all service commanders to restore peace and quell both insurgency and banditry throughout Nigeria. IGP Disu reiterated the President Tinubu security directive, emphasizing that while all commanders are tasked with this critical mission, the most substantial impact is expected to emanate from the Police Mobile Force itself. He specifically reminded participants that their training is geared towards combating insurgency, positioning them as key enforcers of the presidential mandate.

This presidential directive forms the bedrock of the current security push, demanding a robust and coordinated response from all security agencies. The Inspector-General's confidence in the PMF stems from their foundational training, which he believes provides them with the unique ability to address the sophisticated and fluid security landscape. The ongoing training initiatives, particularly the Police Mobile Force training Nasarawa program, are designed to reinforce these core competencies, ensuring the force is not only strong but also tactically intelligent and disciplined in its approach to security challenges.

A critical component of this renewed strategy involves the expansion of the Police Mobile Force to 84 squadrons nationwide. This significant expansion is part of a broader initiative to reposition the force to effectively tackle Nigeria's multifaceted security challenges, which include terrorism, banditry, armed criminality, communal violence, and attacks on vital infrastructure. The current security environment, characterized by its unpredictability and sophistication, necessitates a Mobile Force that combines physical courage with tactical intelligence, speed with precision, and firepower with discipline and respect for human rights.

The ongoing trainers' course represents a strategic intervention aimed at ensuring that every squadron is adequately trained, competently led, properly equipped, and operationally ready. AIG Alonyenu Idu, who oversees the Police Mobile Force, confirmed that PMF operatives, after months of sustained clearance operations in designated high-risk areas, have been recalled for retraining. These operatives, initially deployed since March for stability patrols, are now undergoing a comprehensive program to re-evaluate and refine their training system, focusing on the fundamentals of Nigerian Police counter-insurgency tactics, fighting patrols, and after-action reviews derived from field encounters. AIG Idu also acknowledged the IGP's role in mobilizing essential resources for this critical exercise, which he described as vital for revitalizing the Nigeria Police Force's combat capabilities.

The Inspector-General charged the participating trainers to return to their respective states with a singular objective: to cultivate officers superior to those currently in service. He stressed that the caliber of training directly influences the quality of personnel, which in turn dictates the ultimate success of the fight against insurgency. The leadership of the force is committed to prioritizing continuous training, modernization, and the welfare of its personnel, but in return, expects unwavering commitment, discipline, and tangible results from the Mobile Police.

Recent operational gains underscore the potential of these efforts, with AIG Idu reporting that clearance operations have successfully restored order in areas spanning from Lagos to Edo. In the South-East, significant progress has been made, with most areas now clear, save for the Orlu-Oko-Ihiala-Ihizougu axis. These operations are slated to continue, with the momentum generated from the retraining expected to significantly enhance field performance and subdue the remaining flashpoints. This comprehensive approach highlights the critical role of the IGP Disu Mobile Police insurgency Nigeria strategy in securing the nation.

This article outlines the Nigerian Inspector-General of Police's strategy to combat insurgency and banditry through enhanced Mobile Police training. While it doesn't introduce new legal obligations or precedents, lawyers and compliance officers should note the government's renewed focus on security operations, which could impact risk assessments for clients operating in affected regions or inform advice on security-related due diligence.

Source: Original reporting via Nigerian Police Force statements.