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The Nigerian government, through the Nigeria Police Force, has ordered increased security around worship centres and public spaces across the country following the Middle East tension.
Acting Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu instructed all state Commissioners of Police to strengthen surveillance and security measures across the country.
Police Public Relations Officer ACP Benjamin Hundeyin said in a statement on X on Sunday that the directive prioritises the Northwest, Northeast, and North Central zones.
Officers are to increase surveillance, gather intelligence, and collaborate with traditional and religious leaders to prevent any attempt to exploit international events to incite unrest.
“Disu reassures all Nigerians of the unwavering commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to the protection of lives, property, and national peace, in light of evolving geopolitical tensions in the Middle East and their potential global implications,” Hundeyin said.
“While Nigeria remains stable and its internal security situation firmly under control, the Force has reinforced proactive, intelligence-led policing measures across the country.”
He added: “The Ag. IGP has directed all Commissioners of Police in the 36 States and the Federal Capital Territory, with particular attention to the North West, North East, and North Central zones, to heighten surveillance and intelligence gathering, strengthen collaboration with traditional and religious leaders, enhance visibility policing around worship centres and public spaces, and swiftly address any attempt by individuals or groups to exploit global developments to incite unrest or sectarian tension.”
The Nigeria Police Force reiterates that Nigeria will not serve as a theatre for foreign conflicts.
It noted that any attempt to import external ideological or religious tensions into the country will be met with the full weight of the law.
IGP Disu calls on community leaders nationwide to continue promoting peace and urges citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding and to report any suspicious activity to the nearest police formation.
The directive follows US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, 2026, which reportedly killed Iranian Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and prompted retaliatory attacks in several Gulf countries, including the United Arab Emirates, Qatar, and Bahrain.
The Nigerian government has issued travel advisories for citizens in the affected countries and called for restraint and de-escalation.
