The acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed all state police commands to step up security measures nationwide amid escalating hostilities between the United States, Israel and Iran.
The directive, issued through a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, Benjamin Hundeyin, followed rising concerns that global tensions in the Middle East could trigger internal security challenges if not proactively managed.
Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory have been ordered to intensify intelligence gathering and surveillance operations. Particular attention is to be paid to the Northwest, Northeast and Northcentral regions.
The police hierarchy also instructed commands to strengthen engagement with traditional and religious leaders, boost visibility policing around worship centres and other public spaces, and swiftly neutralise any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit foreign developments to incite unrest or sectarian divisions.
According to the statement, while Nigeria remains stable and its internal security architecture is intact, proactive and intelligence-led policing has been reinforced across the country.
The police leadership stressed that Nigeria will not be drawn into external ideological or religious conflicts, warning that any attempt to import foreign tensions into the country would attract the full weight of the law.
Disu urged community leaders to continue promoting peace and appealed to citizens to remain calm, vigilant and law-abiding, while reporting suspicious movements to the nearest police formation.
The force reaffirmed its readiness to safeguard lives and property and maintain national stability at all times.
