The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force is closely monitoring Islamic groups with allegiances to Middle Eastern countries amid the escalating tensions involving the United States, Israel, and Iran.
Speaking shortly after taking the oath of office at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja, Disu said developments in the Middle East could have repercussions in Nigeria.
He explained that the police were adopting intelligence-led policing, noting that security agencies are aware of various Islamic sects operating in the country, including groups with ideological ties to parts of the Middle East. According to him, any major escalation abroad could have ripple effects locally.
Disu said proactive steps were already being taken to prevent unrest, including increased patrols and engagement with relevant groups to discourage unlawful actions.
Nigeria hosts several Islamic organisations with links to countries such as Iran and Saudi Arabia. Among them is the Islamic Movement in Nigeria, led by Ibrahim El-Zakzaky, which is known for its pro-Iranian stance. Past conflicts in the Middle East have triggered protests in parts of Nigeria, particularly in northern states.
On the issue of State Police, the IGP revealed that he has constituted a committee to articulate the position of the Nigeria Police Force on the proposed reform. He said the Force intends to play an active role in shaping the framework for State Police, describing it as a partnership rather than a threat.
“State Police has come to stay, and the police should be able to do their own part in making it succeed,” he said, adding that the Force is not opposed to the initiative.
Addressing officers’ welfare, Disu pledged to prioritise motivation and improved working conditions, acknowledging the risks and demands of policing. He noted that officers often operate under challenging circumstances and emphasised the importance of adequate support.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has consistently advocated constitutional amendments to establish State Police, arguing that Nigeria’s security challenges require more localised solutions.
President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has sworn in Tunji Disu as the 23rd Inspector-General of Police at a ceremony held at the Council Chambers of the State House in Abuja. During the event, the President also administered the oath of office to six commissioners of the Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission (RMAFC) and two members of the Federal Civil Service Commission (FCSC). The swearing-in ceremony took place shortly before the […]
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