The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, on Tuesday, deployed a special squad to arrest the rising violence across the country.

He ordered all Police Mobile Force squadrons to maintain at least one fully equipped, combat-ready unit on constant standby, effective immediately.

He gave the directive during a meeting with Squadron Commanders in Abuja on Tuesday, as bandits struck in Kwara, Benue and Sokoto States, killing 21 persons.

In the past weeks, the attacks on hapless citizens have escalated with increased attacks reported in Plateau, Benue, Enugu and other parts of the country.

Addressing his squadron commanders during the meeting, the IG stressed that the standby units must be prepared to provide rapid support to state commands in times of crisis, high-risk operations, or emergency interventions.

Egbetokun said, “The PMF was created as a strike force – to be swift, decisive and combat-ready.  Effective immediately, all PMF squadrons are directed to maintain at least one fully equipped, combat-ready unit on standby at all times.

“These units must be prepared to support their respective state commands in any situation requiring urgent tactical intervention. Additionally, each squadron will be required to send one unit for training every quarter.

“These sessions will go beyond operational proficiency, placing strong emphasis on ethics, professionalism and the principles of responsible policing.”

He also said squadrons will undergo size reviews and reorganisation to boost efficiency and agility.

Egbetokun further noted, ‘’Currently, squadron sizes will be reviewed and reduced to ensure operational effectiveness and agility. From this moment, PMF commanders will be held vicariously responsible for the conduct of their personnel.

“You are expected to lead proactively through regular lectures, inspections and localised training programmes that reinforce discipline, respect for human rights and operational excellence.”

Restating the withdrawal of mobile policemen from escort duties, the IG noted with concern that this has drained the PMF’s tactical effectiveness.

“As you are aware, directives have already been issued concerning the withdrawal of PMF personnel from authorised deployments. It is the duty of all commanders to enforce this directive without delay. A firm but gradual withdrawal from non-core assignments is underway.

“The priority now is to refocus our strength and personnel towards combating violent crimes and safeguarding national security. We will also inject new leadership perspectives, strategic approaches and continuous capacity-building initiatives aimed at restoring the PMF to its rightful place as a dominant force in internal security and a model of tactical excellence,’’ he stated.

The police boss declared that indiscipline among the mobile police officers will no longer be tolerated.

“The Nigeria Police Force will no longer allow the values, standards and discipline that once defined the police mobile force to be undermined.

“As a strike force of the Nigerian Police Force, the PMF carries an immense responsibility to confront armed threats, insurgency and criminal violence with integrity and courage,’’ added.

Meanwhile, the serenity of Ilesha Baruba in the Baruten Local Government Area of Kwara State was shattered on Tuesday by gunmen who launched a deadly attack on a relaxation spot in a motor park, leaving six persons dead.

Also, a vigilante was gunned down in Kemanji, Kaiama LGA, while on a patrol along the fringes of Kainji National Park.

Speaking on the unprovoked attacks in the state, the Kwara Police Public Relations Officer, Toun Ejire-Adeyemi, in a statement, disclosed that the command was investigating the two incidents.

The statement said operatives have arrested an informant linked to a bandit network, adding that tactical efforts had been intensified across the affected communities.

It read, “At about 21:30hours, suspected armed men, numbering 10, stormed the Ilesha Baruba Motor Park and opened fire indiscriminately at civilians gathered at a nearby relaxation spot.

“As a result, six persons – identified as Alhaji Ja’awire, AbdulJabar, Mohammed Nasamu, and three others – lost their lives, while two others sustained serious gunshot injuries.  The deceased have been deposited at the Ilesha Baruba Morgue for autopsy, while the injured are receiving treatment.”

The police command disclosed that full security measures had been activated to bring the perpetrators to justice.

Three of the suspected bandits suffered gunshot wounds during the gun duel, while a member of the vigilante, Yusuf Samba, succumbed to gunshot injuries.

“Our investigation culminated in the arrest of an informant, who admitted to collaborating with a group of bandits. This individual has proven to be a valuable asset in advancing the investigation,” the police said.

The command assured the residents of both communities that full security architecture has been activated, including tactical teams, intensified surveillance, and intelligence-led operations aimed at restoring peace and order.

Meanwhile, Governor AbdulRahman AbdulRazaq of Kwara State has led the General Officer Commanding, 2 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General O.G. Onubugu; Brigade Commander, Sobi Cantonment, Brig. Gen. E.B. Barkins;  the state Commissioner of Police, Adekimi Ojo and the Director, Department of State Services, Mr Michael Aganwu and Alh Aliyu Muyideen, the Senior Special Adviser on security matters to the governor, on a security assessment of Kaiama LGA.

The Monday visit focused on the security architecture within Kemenji, Karoji, and the Kainji National Park axis.

The delegation held a strategic security interface with the Emir of Kaiama, Alh Muazu Omar, and other critical stakeholders and inspected an oil mill facility before returning to Ilorin.

In the Afia community in the Ukum Local Government Area of Benue State, a suspected bandit identified as ‘Government’ reportedly killed 11 people.

This happened some days after some armed herders invaded some communities in the Ukum and Logo Local Government Areas, killing no fewer than 72 people.

Eyewitnesses claimed the suspect was mentally ill.

“He is popularly known as ‘Government’ and was mentally ill about two months ago, but was treated. He woke up Tuesday morning and shot indiscriminately, killing about 11 people,” a source told our correspondent.

The state Commissioner for Information, Mathew Abo, who confirmed the incident, however, insisted the man was a bandit.

Abo said, “I’m not aware that the man has any illness but what I gathered is that a bandit with the nickname ‘Government’ on Tuesday morning picked up a gun and shot many people to death.”

The commissioner could not confirm the casualty figure.

The spokesperson for the state command, Catherine Anene, said she was not aware of the incident.

Speaking during a visit to Makurdi on Tuesday, the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, commiserated with the government and people of Benue State over the loss of lives in the state.

The NSA, in an interview with journalists, stated that the Bola Tinubu administration inherited ‘’a bastardised situation’’  which is being confronted frontally.

According to him, the insecurity started about 15 years ago but was devoid of politics, religion and ethnicity.

He said, “The insecurity in Nigeria has been there since 2011, and we have several lives lost, and it’s not about politics, religion or ethnicity but pure criminality. It’s been ongoing for too long, it’s not only Nigeria that is a victim of this (insecurity), many countries have lost the fight against the bandits.

“Sudan has no government, Niger, Mali, Burkina Faso are all under military government and they faced the same problem.”

The NSA, who referred to the situation in Afghanistan where he once worked, said the country also had similar problems.

He sought the understanding of Nigerians, assuring them of the Federal Government’s commitment to addressing the insecurity in the country.

“The way the Federal Government is responding to insecurity today is different from the ways the past governments addressed it. The present government is a listening one, identifying the cause and tackling the issue.

“We will continue to do better, we have improved greatly from the time we came in, it’s a process, it’s a journey, it took 15 years to find ourselves where we are today and the present administration has done very well compared to what was happening in the past,” Ribadu said.

Addressing the people earlier, Ribadu said he was in the state on behalf of the President to commiserate with them and assured them of the Federal Government’s determination to combat insecurity in the state.

In the Tangaza Local Government Area of Sokoto State, members of the  Lakurawa terror group on Sunday unleashed a deadly overnight raid on Adarawa and Huymar Dutsi villages.

The attackers, armed with AK-47 rifles and moving on motorcycles and foot, stormed Adarawa village in the Kalanjeni Ward around 11pm, firing sporadically.

Sources said one Jamilu Hassan was shot and killed during the onslaught, while provision shops were looted, with the assailants carting away drinks and other items.

“The gunmen later advanced to Huymar Dutsi, where they opened fire again, killing two residents, Auwalu Namadi Nagande and Maidamma Sanda.

An eyewitness stated, “ In a brazen show of terror, they went house to house, rustling an undisclosed number of livestock including sheep, camels, and cattle before fleeing towards Kwarakka village.

“We had earlier reported suspicious movements in Gidan Madi Town, where eight individuals, believed to be of Fulani extraction, were seen riding motorcycles and dressed in attire typically worn for wedding ceremonies.

“These movements occurred between 3pm and 5pm, same day and were later traced heading towards the Binji axis. Security agencies were urged to intensify vigilance in the area.”

In another incident on the same day, suspected Lakurawa fighters mounted a roadblock at Gulbin Mujadde, between Sabro and Barkatube villages.

The gunmen, said to be riding on 12 motorcycles and wielding AK-47 rifles, intercepted traders transporting livestock from Niger Republic.

They allegedly confiscated the animals and were last seen heading toward Tummunna village under Magonho Ward.

The repeated attacks have heightened fears among local communities, with urgent calls for increased security presence and swift government intervention.

The spokesman for the Sokoto State police command, Ahmed Rufai, said the area has been having such attacks almost daily

Worried by the deteriorating security situation in their region, the Northern States Governors’ Forum has adopted a joint approach to addressing the rising wave of banditry and terrorist attacks across the North.

The Director-General, Press Affairs, Gombe Government House, Ismaila Misilli, said Governor Muhammadu Yahaya, who doubles as the chairman of the forum, is spearheading efforts to tackle banditry and terrorism in the North.

Misilli disclosed that Yahaya has been rallying fellow governors to find a solution to the region’s insecurity.

“His Excellency, Governor Muhammadu Inuwa Yahaya, CON, is fully engaged with his colleagues in exploring a joint approach to address the rising wave of banditry and terrorist attacks across the North.

“As Chairman of the Northern States Governors’ Forum, Governor Inuwa has been at the forefront of efforts to rally his fellow governors towards finding a lasting and collaborative solution to the insecurity plaguing the region. Since the recent escalation of violence in affected parts of the North, the governor has not relented in his resolve,” the DG stated.

He added that Yahaya has been engaging with colleagues, security chiefs, and stakeholders, advocating for stronger inter-state cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security operations, noting that the leadership role in the NSGF is crucial in driving these efforts.

He disclosed that the governor’s resolve remains unwavering despite the recent escalation of violence in parts of the North, stressing that the forum aimed to bring peace and stability to the region through collaborative solutions.

“He (Yahaya) has continued to reach out, both privately and through official channels, to his colleagues, security chiefs, and relevant stakeholders, urging for stronger inter-state cooperation, intelligence sharing, and coordinated security operations, and the NSGF chairman is always leveraging his leadership role in the NSGF to achieve that goal,” he added.

In a related development, the  Katsina State Deputy Governor, Faruk Jobe, said the state has recorded commendable success in restoring peace and stability to areas previously plagued by banditry and kidnapping incidents.

Jobe stated this on Tuesday at the 5th edition of the monthly press briefing on Governor Dikko Radda’s administration’s achievements in the security sector.

He revealed that the government’s massive investment of N36.8b in collaboration with the 34 local government areas of the state was to establish a formidable security structure aimed at addressing the security challenges bedevilling the state.

According to Jobe, “Government has incurred huge expenditure in the recruitment, training and equipping of the newly established homegrown security outfit known as Katsina Community Watch Corps.

‘’The funds have been utilised for the procurement of critical security assets, including 10 Armoured Personnel Carriers, 65 Toyota Hilux vehicles, and 700 Daylong motorcycles.

“Additionally, the government has acquired 1,900 units of tactical covert equipment, drones, trackers, and communication network equipment for intelligence gathering, as well as combat equipment, consumables, live jackets, helmets, walkie-talkies, and teargas hand grenades.”

The deputy governor also noted that the Radda administration has adopted both kinetic and non-kinetic approaches to the security issues.

“The non-kinetic measures include the creation of the Ministry of Internal Security and Home Affairs, the formation of the State Security Council Advisory Committee, and the enactment of law establishing the Katsina State Community Security Watch Corps.

“We have also created the Office of SSA on victims of banditry and IDPs, and the Office of SA Community Security Watch Corps,” he further clarified.

He explained that the government has provided free medical treatment to victims of banditry and financial assistance to families of victims.

“The strategy further encompasses engagement of 7,545 Imams, Na’ibis and Ladans to preach peace and harmony among the people, 6,652 ward heads to serve in the traditional security structure of the state, 918 Local Government Level Security Support Groups, and 9,747 Ward Level Security Support Groups,’’ he highlighted.

On the kinetic front, Jobe revealed the recruitment and deployment of 1,466 security watch corps personnel to the eight frontline local governments of Dandume, Faskari, Kankara, Danmusa, Batsari, Jibia, Sabuwa and Safana.

The second phase, he said, comprised the recruitment of 550 Security Watch Corps personnel deployed in 10 vulnerable local governments- Bakori, Musawa, Malumfashi, Danja, Funtua, Matazu, Charanchi, Batagarawa, Kurfi and Dutsin-Ma.

“We have also engaged 1,500 vigilante members and deployed 200 civilian hunters to vulnerable areas to complement the efforts of conventional security agencies in combating insecurity,” Malam Jobe revealed.

The deputy governor further explained that the government has spent N985,976,842 to cushion the trauma and sufferings of victims of armed banditry and internally displaced persons across the state through medication, financial assistance, and other support interventions.

“So far, a total of 2,286 victims have been offered financial assistance,” he stated.

Jobe also pointed out the state’s hosting of the North-West Peace and Security Summit, in partnership with the United Nations Development Programme.

In a bid to stem the rampant abductions and other forms of criminality in his state, Ondo State Governor, Lucky Aiyedatiwa, said a total of 115 military men had been drafted to the Akoko area of the state to comat the bandits terrorising the residents.

The governor also said more personnel would be recruited into the Ondo Security Network Agency, commonly known as the Amotekun Corps, as part of his administration’s efforts to stem the crime rate.

Aiyedatiwa stated this while hosting the elders and leaders of Ondo North Senatorial District of the state in his office in Akure, the state capital, on Tuesday. The visitors were led by a former senator, Bode Olajumoke.

The governor said, “On security, a total of 115 military personnel have been deployed to the Akoko axis to tackle recent challenges. Our administration is committed to the security of the lives and properties of our people, and it remains a top priority for our administration. I’m assuring you of even development across all local government areas of the state.”

The governor also expressed willingness to consider the proposed security trust fund in the state.

Speaking earlier, Olajumoke advised the governor to consider acquiring more sophisticated equipment as well as deploying technology to enhance the performance of the Amotekun Corps, in addition to recruiting more personnel to ensure more boots are on the ground.

 Speaking on the attacks and killings in his state, Benue State Governor, Hyacinth Alia, has identified the perpetrators as foreigners.

According to him, the attackers speak unknown languages and display traits that suggest they are not Nigerians.

He made this statement on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Politics Today, following a series of violent incidents in the North-Central state that have resulted in numerous deaths and displacements.

He stated, “Let’s have the narrative very correct. We know Nigerians—by our ethnicities, we can identify a Fulani man, a Yoruba man, a Hausa man—we know them. Even the regular traditional herders, we know them. They work with cows, herding with sticks.

“But these folks [the attackers] are coming in fully armed with AK-47s and 49s. They do not bear the Nigerian look. They don’t speak like we do. Even the Hausa they speak is one sort of Hausa.

“It’s not the normal Hausa we Nigerians speak. So, it is with the Fulani they speak. There is a trend in the language they speak, and some of our people who understand what they speak give it names. They say they are Malians and different from our people. But they are not Nigerians—believe it.”

The governor noted that the current wave of violence represented a new and more dangerous escalation compared to past clashes with traditional herders.

‘’This is the second phase we are seeing. The initial ones were with the traditional herders. The traditional herders—we had fewer troubles with them. What we are experiencing has a new, different, strange face, and it’s now alarming.

“These terrorists are everywhere. We are under a siege. These people just come and hit and kill and run back. Where are they running to? The way these killings are being planned and carried out is coordinated.

“Some local government areas in Benue share borders with Cameroon, and those borders are quite porous. The terrorists have their own havens in Taraba, Nasarawa, and in border regions of Cameroon,” Alia stated.