IG Egbetokun Orders Combat-Ready Police Units on Nationwide Standby as Bandit Attacks Intensify
In a decisive move to combat the escalating wave of violence and insecurity across Nigeria, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has ordered the nationwide deployment of a special anti-bandit strike force. This strategic measure, announced on Tuesday, comes in response to the alarming surge in killings, kidnappings, and attacks that have plagued several regions in recent weeks.
The directive was delivered during a critical meeting with Police Mobile Force (PMF) Squadron Commanders held at the Force Headquarters in Abuja. The IG made it clear that the Police can no longer stand by while innocent Nigerians fall victim to unrelenting violence.
Effective immediately, all PMF squadrons are required to maintain a minimum of one fully equipped, combat-ready unit on permanent standby. These units are expected to respond swiftly to high-risk operations, support state commands during security emergencies, and execute tactical interventions in volatile areas.
A Nationwide Surge in Violence
The move comes on the heels of fresh attacks in Kwara, Benue, and Sokoto States, where 21 lives were brutally cut short by armed bandits. These states, along with others such as Plateau, Enugu, and Zamfara, have experienced a troubling uptick in violent crimes, leaving communities in fear and demanding urgent government action.
In the past few weeks alone, dozens of Nigerians have been killed or displaced in what security experts now describe as a coordinated campaign by armed criminal elements. Rural communities, in particular, have borne the brunt of these assaults, often with limited access to security or emergency services.
A Renewed Mission for the PMF
IG Egbetokun, addressing the nation through the assembled commanders, emphasized the foundational mission of the Police Mobile Force: to act as a swift, decisive, and combat-ready strike unit. The recent deployments, he said, are designed to revive and refocus that original mandate.
“The PMF was created as a strike force – to be swift, decisive, and combat-ready,” the IG reiterated. “These units must be prepared to support their respective state commands in any situation requiring urgent tactical intervention.”
As part of the new operational framework, each PMF squadron will also be mandated to send a unit for quarterly training to enhance tactical readiness and operational efficiency. This, the IG noted, will ensure that officers remain up-to-date with modern policing techniques, rules of engagement, and the latest counter-insurgency strategies.
Community Assurance and National Stability
Security analysts and civil society groups have welcomed the initiative, calling it a necessary step toward restoring public confidence in the country’s security apparatus. Many believe the deployment could mark a turning point in Nigeria’s battle against widespread lawlessness if implemented transparently and effectively.
However, experts also urge the Federal Government and the Nigeria Police Force to back the deployments with adequate logistics, funding, and intelligence support to avoid past pitfalls where well-intentioned security operations were hampered by resource constraints.
For everyday Nigerians, the news brings a mixture of relief and cautious optimism. “We just want to live in peace,” said Esther Danjuma, a resident of a village in Benue recently hit by attacks. “If the government is finally taking action, then maybe, just maybe, we’ll sleep better at night.”
Moving Forward
The Inspector-General’s move to mobilize anti-bandit squads nationwide is a clear signal that the Nigeria Police Force is repositioning itself to reclaim security dominance. While the challenges remain immense, the deployment of combat-ready PMF units reflects a proactive stance that Nigerians have long demanded.
With an effective command structure, accountability, and community cooperation, the nationwide anti-bandit operation could serve as a blueprint for future policing reforms and emergency response strategies.
As Nigeria continues to grapple with insecurity, all eyes will now be on the police and its leadership to ensure that this ambitious nationwide deployment translates into real safety, not just for headlines, but for the millions who call Nigeria home.
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