The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured the international community that Nigeria remained safe for citizens, investors and visitors.

Mr Disu spoke in New York on Friday that security agencies were working round-the-clock to protect everybody in the country.

The Nigerian police chief countered negative global security perception, saying international perceptions often failed to reflect realities on the ground.

The IG said negative global perceptions of Nigeria often differed from realities experienced by visitors to the country.

“People hear stories about Nigeria but when they visit, they are surprised by what they see. People are moving around freely.”

He acknowledged challenges posed by insurgency and banditry in parts of the country, saying it was a spillover of the regional security challenge in the Sahel.

He stated, “These challenges are more prevalent in some areas than others. I assure you, the Nigeria Police and other security agencies are not resting on their oars. They are working daily to ensure life becomes easier for every citizen and every visitor.”

The IG reaffirmed government’s commitment to restoring lasting peace nationwide.

He said, “Our resolve remains unwavering to secure every part of Nigeria.”

Mr Disu said security agencies remained committed to protecting lives and property through intelligence-led operations and enhanced inter-agency collaboration.

He said Nigeria was increasingly deploying advanced technology to combat terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and other emerging security threats.

He added, “We now gather data, store it and analyse it. We are carrying out analytics that predict crime trends and what is likely to happen in the nearest future.”

The police chief said the Force had embraced artificial intelligence, surveillance systems and modern digital tools to strengthen crime prevention.

He noted, “We are deploying drones and other technology to assist us in responding to incidents across the country.”

He stated that sophisticated equipment had also been introduced to detect illegal arms and improvised explosive devices.

Mr Disu said the Force was clamping down on criminals’ increasing use of social media and gathering valuable intelligence for security agencies.

He added, “Daily, a lot of arrests are being made, especially those on social media, TikTok and other online platforms.”

He said with digital footprints, investigators identify, profile, monitor and eventually apprehend suspected criminals.

He stated, “We need surveillance and painstaking intelligence before locating them in forests to effect arrests. With modern techniques, some of which I cannot discuss publicly, we are picking them.”

On the rescue mission of abducted Oyo State pupils and teachers, the IG said security agencies conducted “one of Nigeria’s most coordinated rescue operations.”

“All security agencies were working together as one,” the police chief said, declining operational details.(NAN)