The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, ordered that every tactical formation operating in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau States be placed on red alert. The directive covers the Police Mobile Force, Special Protection Unit, Counter‑Terrorism Unit and Special Intervention Squad. Under the order, these units must carry out uninterrupted patrols in forested zones, rural settlements, major highways and places of worship across the three states. The move aims to heighten security visibility and deter any emerging threats in the region. No further details on the duration or additional measures were released.
The decision by IGP Olatunji Disu to put all tactical units on red alert in Benue, Nasarawa and Plateau signals a clear escalation in security posture for the volatile North‑Central belt.
These states have repeatedly been flashpoints for communal clashes, bandit incursions and kidnapping, prompting the police hierarchy to adopt a proactive stance. By mandating continuous patrols in forests, rural communities, highways and houses of worship, the command seeks to pre‑empt attacks that often exploit gaps in surveillance.
For ordinary residents, the heightened presence could translate into quicker response times and a deterrent effect, but it may also bring increased checkpoints and movement restrictions, especially for commuters and traders who rely on the major highways.
The alert mirrors a broader trend of Nigerian security agencies issuing localized red alerts as a reactive measure to recurring instability, suggesting that a more systemic, preventive strategy remains elusive.
