IGP Disu Visits Maiduguri, Meets Bomb Blast Victims

Maiduguri, Borno State – The 23rd Indigenous Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu psc(+), NPM, on Tuesday stormed Borno State on a high-level working visit, barely hours after multiple suicide bomb explosions rocked Maiduguri, killing at least 23 persons and injuring 108 others.

NaijaChoice News reports that the deadly blasts, suspected to have been carried out by Boko Haram suicide bombers, hit three crowded spots on Monday evening shortly after breaking of Ramadan fast around 7pm: the El-Kanemi Monday Market, the gate of the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital (UMTH), and the Post Office area, sending residents into panic and triggering massive security mobilisation across the state capital.

During the prompt assessment tour, IGP Disu went straight to the University of Maiduguri Teaching Hospital where he personally interacted with victims receiving treatment and expressed deep sympathy over the tragic incident.

The IGP was warmly received by the Deputy Governor of Borno State, His Excellency Usman Umar Kadafur, who wasted no time in congratulating the new police chief on his appointment and hailing his swift response to the crisis.

“For an incident that happened last night and for you to be on ground this morning is a sign of seriousness,” the Deputy Governor declared, describing the IGP’s visit as a major morale booster for the people of Borno.

He added that the timely presence of the nation’s top cop underscores the Federal Government’s unwavering concern for the safety and well-being of Borno residents, while reaffirming the state government’s resolve to sustain collaboration with all security agencies until lasting peace is achieved.

Earlier, the Commissioner of Police, Borno State Command, CP Nazir Abdulmajeed, formally welcomed the IGP and commiserated with victims and residents over the unfortunate attacks.

As part of his on-the-spot engagements, the IGP inspected the Monday Market – epicentre of one of the blasts – to evaluate the level of destruction and damage. He also held strategic closed-door sessions with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Mobile Force, focusing on fresh strategies to strengthen security architecture in the troubled North-East.

Addressing officers and men of the Borno State Police Command at the Command Headquarters, IGP Disu charged them to immediately heighten vigilance, deepen intelligence gathering, and remain uncompromisingly proactive in the discharge of their duties.

He assured residents of the Nigeria Police Force’s total commitment to safeguarding lives and property, while urging members of the public to stay security conscious and fully cooperate with law enforcement agencies.

The IGP further pledged robust support to his officers through the immediate provision of necessary security gadgets and logistics to boost operational efficiency, even as he vowed that the Force would dismantle the networks behind the attacks and prevent any recurrence.

The high-profile visit, which also took him to the Borno State Government House, comes as part of renewed federal efforts to crush resurgent terror threats across the North-East region following President Bola Tinubu’s directive to service chiefs to intensify operations in the area.