Yuletide: Egbetokun directs deployment of officers to strategic locations across Nigeria

Kayode Egbetokun, inspector-general of police (IGP), has directed the deployment of officers to strategic locations across the country ahead of the yuletide celebration.

According to a statement by Muyiwa Adejobi, the police public relations officer (PPRO), Egbetokun issued the directive on Monday at a conference with strategic police managers.

The conference, which was the last one for the year 2023, took place at Goodluck Jonathan peacekeeping hall, force headquarters, Abuja.

Adejobi said Egbetokun commended the force for the “substantial strides” in crime prevention and control across the country.

He added that the IGP mentioned how police rescued 134 abducted persons in 10 weeks.

“In anticipation of the yuletide season, the IGP announced heightened deployments across strategic locations to deter criminal activities and ensure the safety of citizens,” the statement reads.

“Notable amongst the cases busted within the period under review include the arrest of the daredevil robbers responsible for the deadly Otukpo bank robbery of 20th October 2023.

“The rescue of 8 students of the Federal University Lafia who were kidnapped on 7th December 2023 in Nasarawa state.

“The interception of a consignment of illicit arms intended for distribution to IPOB/ESN camps, and the arrest of the gunrunner and recovery of 22 semi-automatic pump action guns and 625 live cartridges.”

IGP SIGNS MoU

Adejobi added that the IGP signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with the United States Bureau of International Narcotics and Law Enforcement Affairs.

Egbetokun met with representatives from the US narcotics agency at the force headquarters in Abuja, on Monday.

The MoU was designed to enhance the capacity of the police to address emerging security challenges.

The partnership also seeks to operationalise the special intervention squad (SIS).