By Joseph Erunke
ABUJA – Following recent warnings by both the United States and the United Kingdom governments of possible imminent attacks by Boko Haram insurgents in some parts of the country, the Inspector General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has directed all Commissioners of Police and their supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police in charge of zonal and state commands to be on red.

Ibrahim Idris, IGP

The Inspector General, in a statement released midnight by Force Public Relations Officer, Jimoh Moshood, ordered them to beef up security throughout some states of the federation considered prone to crisis.

It could be recalled also that consequent on the recent Boko Haram attacks on soft targets in Adamawa and Borno states, Idris had ordered all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police and their personnel nationwide to be on red alert with effect from 21stNovember, 2017 to nip in the bud and prevent the spread of further attacks in the affected states and other states of the federation.

“Notwithstanding, the recent cautions and warnings by US and UK missions in Nigeria of possible attacks by Boko Haram Insurgents on soft targets in FCT, Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe, the Inspector General of Police has re-emphasized and reinforced his directive to all Commissioners of Police in charge of State Commands and their Supervising Assistant Inspectors General of Police and the entire personnel of the Force to remain on red alert and beef up security throughout the country.

“For avoidance of doubt, the Commissioners of police in the Federal capital Territory (FCT), Adamawa, Bauchi, Borno, Gombe, Jigawa and Yobe states are under strict instruction by the Inspector General of Police to hold stakeholders meetings with the people, strengthen security in their Area of Responsibility (AOR) and carryout massive deployment of police personnel and equipment in the identified vulnerable locations, perceived/prone soft targets in their AOR.

” They are also to ensure 24-hour police patrols of mosques and churches, market, schools, motor parks, hotels, recreation centres, settlements, villages, towns and cities in the mentioned states.

” The operations which has commenced in the indicated states will continue throughout the month of December, 2017 and into the New Year and beyond, “the statement said.

‘However, the Nigeria Police Force implores Members of the Public in the indicated States to go about their lawful businesses and other engagements without any apprehension and not to panic but to be cautious, vigilant and more security conscious. They should report promptly any untoward or suspicious happening to the nearest Police Station or formation.