Police Warn Trouble-Makers Ahead of Tinubu’s Jigawa Visit

The Jigawa State Police Command has warned individuals planning to disrupt activities surrounding President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s visit to the state to stay away from the rally venue, saying anyone who attempts to cause trouble will face the full weight of the law.

The warning was issued on Monday, November 9, as security preparations intensified ahead of Tinubu’s scheduled working visit to Jigawa on Tuesday. The President is expected to inaugurate projects and take part in political engagements linked to activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

The visit will be Tinubu’s first working trip to Jigawa since he assumed office on May 29, 2023. It has prompted increased preparations in Dutse, the state capital, where the President’s official engagements are expected to take place.

Speaking to journalists at the police command headquarters in Dutse, the Commissioner of Police, Tijjani Murtala, said security personnel had been deployed to strategic locations to protect residents, visitors and participants.

Murtala said the security operation would involve several agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Department of State Services (DSS) and other supporting security organisations.

He explained that the command had begun preparations through consultations with relevant stakeholders before moving to operational planning and the deployment of officers to important locations. The process, he said, was designed to ensure that security arrangements were properly coordinated ahead of the President’s arrival.

The police commissioner disclosed that commanders of the different security agencies had already met to strengthen cooperation and agree on how the operation would be managed before, during and after the visit.

He added that an operational order had been prepared to guide personnel, while additional officers were being brought in to reinforce the existing security arrangement. The reinforcement includes Police Mobile Force personnel from other commands and officers attached to tactical formations.

The deployment is intended to provide a visible security presence around designated venues and strategic points in the state capital.

Despite the scale of the preparations, Murtala said the security assessment carried out so far had not identified any major threat to the visit. He described Jigawa as peaceful and commended residents for their law-abiding conduct.

The commissioner assured the public that the command was committed to protecting lives and property, adding that the police would not allow anyone to exploit the presidential visit to create disorder.

“We will not allow any disgruntled elements to infiltrate the gathering or take advantage of the President’s visit to cause any security breach,” he said.

His warning was directed at anyone who might attempt to use the large gathering as an opportunity to disrupt proceedings, provoke violence or engage in activities capable of endangering other people.

The police also drew attention to crimes that can occur at crowded public events, particularly pickpocketing, mobile phone snatching and other forms of petty theft. Murtala said such offences would not be ignored simply because security agencies would be concentrating on protecting the presidential entourage and the main event.

To address the risk, plain-clothes intelligence officers are expected to operate within the crowd to identify and apprehend suspected criminals. Other operatives will maintain surveillance around the designated venues and monitor movements in areas considered important to the security operation.

The use of officers in plain clothes is intended to help security personnel detect suspicious behaviour without relying only on uniformed patrols. Members of the public have also been advised to remain alert and take care of their belongings.

Murtala further stated that, although Jigawa had not recorded any significant security threats relating to terrorism and banditry, the command would not become complacent. He said the police remained vigilant and prepared to respond to any challenge that might emerge.

The commissioner also clarified that the deployment of additional personnel was strictly connected to the security needs of the presidential visit. He said the arrangement should not be interpreted as a political campaign strategy.

The distinction comes as the President’s visit is expected to include political engagements ahead of the next general elections. The police chief maintained that the responsibility of the security agencies was to preserve public order and ensure the safety of everyone, regardless of their political affiliation.

He reiterated that the command would work with sister security agencies throughout the exercise and called on residents to cooperate with officers carrying out their duties. Members of the public were also urged to report suspicious movements or activities to the appropriate authorities.

Organisers and participants are expected to follow lawful instructions, while members of the public should avoid actions that could obstruct security operations or put others at risk.

For residents who intend to attend the rally or observe the President’s activities, the command’s message is to remain peaceful, follow directions from security operatives and avoid carrying out any activity that could disturb the gathering. Anyone who notices conduct that raises a genuine security concern is encouraged to alert the authorities rather than confront suspected offenders.

The visit is also expected to provide an opportunity for the Federal Government and the Jigawa State Government to highlight projects and development initiatives in the state. Tinubu is scheduled to inaugurate selected projects during the one-day working visit, while the political engagements will bring together party members and supporters.

The combination of official ceremonies and political activities is expected to draw people to Dutse, making crowd management an important part of the security plan. The police have therefore emphasised coordination between agencies, additional manpower and intelligence gathering as key elements of the preparations.

While Murtala expressed confidence that there was no major threat to the President’s visit, he made clear that the command would respond to any attempt to breach the peace. His warning also covers opportunistic criminals who may try to take advantage of the crowd to steal phones or other valuables.

The Jigawa State Police Command has urged residents to support the security arrangements so that the President’s engagements can proceed without incident. It said cooperation from the public would help officers carry out their duties and contribute to the protection of lives and property.

With the visit scheduled for Tuesday, November 10, security agencies are expected to remain on alert throughout the President’s stay. The police say their objective is to ensure that the programme is conducted peacefully and that residents, visitors and participants can go about their activities safely.