Wednesday October 21, 2026

By Idorenyin UMOREN
SituationREPORT

The Nigeria Police Force, NPF, has launched nationwide clearance operations targeting bandits, kidnappers and other violent criminal groups following the recent training and retraining of Police Mobile Force, PMF, personnel.

The operations involve the deployment of tactical teams to identified criminal hideouts, vulnerable locations and other security flashpoints to disrupt criminal activities, deny offenders freedom of movement and action, and improve security across communities.

This was made known by the Force Public Relations Officer, FPRO, CSP Ani Iniedu, a statement issued on Wednesday, October 21, 2026, in Abuja.

According to the statement, the exercise commenced with a pilot operation at Alagye Village in Doma Local Government Area of Nasarawa State, following intelligence reports about a suspected kidnappers’ camp in a nearby forest.

Police personnel carried out a tactical survey and clearance of the identified location but found the camp deserted at the time of the operation.

The police said the exercise would be extended to state commands across the country, with deployments guided by intelligence and prevailing security conditions.

The Force also stressed that all participating personnel had been directed to maintain professionalism, respect human rights and operate within the confines of the law.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, charged officers involved in the operations to sustain pressure on bandits and other criminal networks, deny them freedom of action and ensure that the exercise delivers tangible improvements in community safety.

Disu further directed the personnel to remain disciplined, professional and responsive throughout the operations.

The police urged members of the public to cooperate with deployed officers and provide credible information that could support ongoing security efforts.

The Force assured Nigerians that updates on the clearance operations would be provided as the exercise progresses across state commands.