Police tighten security around worship centres amid Middle East tensions

The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has assured citizens of its commitment to safeguarding public order as global tensions escalate following recent hostilities in the Middle East.

In a statement issued on Sunday by Force Public Relations Officer, ACP Benjamin Hundeyin, the Acting Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, directed Commissioners of Police across all 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to intensify surveillance and intelligence gathering.

“The Ag. IGP has directed all Commissioners of Police… 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 statement read.

The Force emphasized that Nigeria would not be allowed to become a theatre for foreign conflicts.

“Any attempt to import external ideological or religious tensions into the country will be met with the full weight of the law,” it warned.

Disu urged community leaders to continue promoting peace and encouraged citizens to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding, reporting suspicious activity to the nearest police formation.

The directive follows reports of joint US-Israeli strikes on Iran on February 28, which reportedly killed Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei and other senior officials. Iran responded with large-scale counterattacks, triggering explosions in the UAE, Qatar, Bahrain, and other Gulf nations hosting American bases.

The violence has led to civilian casualties, flight cancellations, airport closures, and damage to infrastructure. In response, Nigeria’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs issued travel advisories urging citizens in Iran and Gulf countries to exercise maximum caution, while calling for restraint and de-escalation by all parties.

The Police reiterated that it remains “resolute, prepared, and fully committed to safeguarding every Nigerian and maintaining national security at all times.”

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