…….Police chief outlines counter kidnapping operations, stronger community engagement and 50,000-constable recruitment at Washington meeting

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has highlighted the Nigeria Police Force’s ongoing efforts to strengthen community protection, combat kidnapping and banditry, improve professional policing and enhance public trust during the second United States-Nigeria Country of Particular Concern, CPC, Joint Working Group meeting in Washington, D.C.

The meeting, held on August 12, 2026, brought together senior Nigerian security and government officials to review progress on the Joint Working Group Roadmap for the April to June 2026 reporting period and identify areas for stronger cooperation between Nigeria and the United States.

Disu represented the Nigeria Police Force as part of the Nigerian delegation comprising the National Security Adviser, the Ministers of Foreign Affairs, Interior and Defence, Service Chiefs, as well as heads of other security and law enforcement agencies.

Presenting the Force’s contribution to the roadmap, the IGP outlined sustained counter-kidnapping and anti-banditry operations, increased police presence in vulnerable communities and the deployment of specialised formations to areas facing heightened security threats.

Disu disclosed that personnel from specialised police formations were deployed across vulnerable Local Government Areas during the reporting period to reinforce public safety and deter violent extremist and criminal groups.

He said the deployment was complemented by strengthened early-warning mechanisms aimed at identifying emerging threats and supporting timely intervention, particularly in communities considered vulnerable to attacks by criminal and extremist groups.

The IGP also highlighted measures aimed at protecting Internally Displaced Persons and supporting their safe return to their communities, stressing that security efforts must go beyond military and police operations to create conditions that allow displaced citizens to return safely and rebuild their lives.

A major area highlighted by Disu was the ongoing recruitment of 50,000 Police Constables, which he said was advancing towards the final pre-training stage.

According to him, preparations are underway for comprehensive training of the recruits using an improved curriculum designed around international best practices. The initiative, he noted, is expected to strengthen the professional capacity of new personnel and contribute to the long-term development of the Nigeria Police Force.

Beyond policing operations, Disu placed emphasis on community engagement, describing cooperation between the police and community leaders as essential to sustainable security.

He said the Force had strengthened engagement with traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders, noting that these relationships were important for building public trust, promoting religious tolerance and encouraging peaceful coexistence.

The IGP stressed that effective policing depends not only on the presence of security personnel but also on the willingness of communities to share information, cooperate with law enforcement and support efforts to prevent crime.

Disu further reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to lawful and professional investigations, civilian protection, human rights and due process.

He said these principles remain central to the Force’s role in Nigeria’s wider counterterrorism and criminal justice framework, particularly as the country continues to confront complex security challenges.

The Washington meeting also provided an opportunity for Nigeria and the United States to assess progress under the Joint Working Group Roadmap and explore areas where cooperation could be strengthened.

For the Nigeria Police Force, Disu’s presentation highlighted the Force’s contribution to the broader security architecture through intelligence-led operations, community protection, investigative capacity and professional policing.

The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to sustaining its contribution to the roadmap, saying the police would continue to focus on protecting vulnerable communities, strengthening investigations, improving professional standards and supporting Nigeria’s broader security and rule-of-law objectives.

His participation in the meeting further underscored the Nigeria Police Force’s engagement with international partners on security, counterterrorism, civilian protection and institutional strengthening, as the Force seeks to deepen professional policing and improve public confidence in law enforcement.