After Worshippers’ Abduction, IGP Disu Visits Niger, Orders Faster Rescue Operation
The abduction of dozens of Muslim worshippers from a mosque in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State has taken a new turn, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, visiting the state to rally officers and intensify efforts to secure the victims’ safe release.
The IGP’s visit followed President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s directive that the abducted worshippers be rescued unhurt, as security agencies step up operations against banditry and kidnapping in the area.
Disu, who visited the Niger State Police Command headquarters in Minna, told officers and men that his mission was not ceremonial, but aimed at motivating them and finding more effective and tactical ways of addressing the security challenges confronting the state.
He condemned the abduction of the worshippers, describing the incident as unacceptable, and said the police had taken additional measures to accelerate the rescue operation.
According to him, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7, Victor Olaiya, had been deployed to Niger State to facilitate the operation, while the Counter-Terrorism Unit and Explosive Ordnance Disposal team had also been deployed to strengthen the police response.
Beyond the immediate rescue effort, Disu urged officers to remain vigilant and proactive, stressing the importance of closer collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders and religious authorities.
He said such partnerships were crucial to obtaining timely information and strengthening the fight against banditry, kidnapping, armed robbery and other criminal activities.
The IGP also assured police personnel that their welfare and retirement benefits would receive greater attention, while urging officers to conduct themselves in ways that would improve public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force.
He expressed satisfaction that complaints against police officers had reduced significantly since he assumed office, and encouraged personnel to continue projecting a positive image of the Force.
Responding, the Niger State Commissioner of Police, CP Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, thanked the IGP for the visit and appealed for additional manpower, armoured personnel carriers and modern operational equipment to enable the Command to respond more effectively to security threats.
Elleman said that despite the state’s difficult terrain and vast landmass, the Command had recorded several successes, including the arrest of suspected bandits and their collaborators, the dismantling of an armed robbery gang, recovery of illegal firearms and the retrieval of stolen livestock.
He said the Command remained committed to protecting lives and property across Niger State despite the operational challenges.
The IGP was accompanied to the police headquarters by the Niger State Commissioner for Homeland Security, Maurice Magaji, as well as representatives of other security agencies, the Police Community Relations Committee, Police Officers Wives Association and vigilante groups.
For the families of the abducted worshippers, however, the immediate concern remains the same: the safe return of their loved ones.
The heightened police deployment and renewed operational push are expected to translate into concrete action to bring the victims home safely.
