Remain vigilant’: Police, DSS, Army begin patrol of churches in FCT after Trump’s military threat
‘Remain vigilant’: Police, DSS, Army begin patrol of churches in FCT after Trump’s military threat
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has started proactive crime prevention efforts through special patrol operations around churches and border communities, in line with the directive of the Commissioner of Police, CP Miller G. Dantawaye.
The move comes weeks after United States President, Donald Trump’s statement of alleged genocide of Christians in Nigeria.
Trump had earlier designated Nigeria as a “Country of Particular Concern” and further threatened to deploy US forces to the country if the federal government refused to address the killings.
In a statement issued on Monday, November 10, 2025, the FCT Police spokesperson, SP Josephine Adeh, said the operation conducted on November 9, 2025, involved the Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit working alongside operatives from the Department of State Services (DSS), local hunters, and vigilante groups.
Covering forested and border routes linking Bwari to Kaduna, Bwari to Niger, and Gwagwalada to Niger, the patrol ran from 6:00 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. and was aimed at deterring criminal activities, boosting public confidence, and ensuring the safety of worshippers during services.
Church leaders in the patrolled areas were engaged and assured of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.
They were also advised to adopt preventive measures, including limiting late-night gatherings, maintaining contact with local security agencies, and promptly reporting suspicious movements.
The police chief also ordered the closure of known access routes frequently used by criminals as part of intelligence-driven preventive measures. Strategic security posts in forested areas remain active and under constant supervision.
Adeh said the CP has “directed the blocking of identified access routes often exploited by criminal elements as part of intelligence-led preventive measures,” noting that “strategic security posts within the forest areas remain active and under constant supervision.”
The FCT Police Command stressed that public safety is a shared responsibility, urging residents to remain vigilant, report suspicious activities, and cooperate with security agencies.
CP Dantawaye assured residents that the FCT remains safe and reaffirmed that the Command will continue implementing dynamic strategies to maintain peace and a crime-free environment.
“The FCT remains safe, and the Command will continue to adopt dynamic strategies to ensure a crime-free environment for all,” he said.
The Nigerian Police Force (NPF) has an authorised strength of about 450,000 personnel, but the actual deployed workforce is estimated to be around 371,800 to 380,000 officers. This gap between the authorised and actual strength is largely due to recruitment delays, attrition, retirements, and other personnel challenges.
Efforts have been ongoing to recruit additional officers to meet operational needs and strengthen internal security.
