Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has said Nigeria’s security challenges have evolved beyond isolated criminal threats, with interconnected networks now driving terrorism, banditry, kidnapping, organised crime, cultism, urban violence, cybercrime and financial facilitation.

Disu said security agencies must deepen collaboration and ensure intelligence gathered on criminal activities is transformed into lawful investigations, admissible evidence and successful prosecutions.

The IGP spoke through the Director of the Force Directorate of Legal Services, CP Aremu Bamidele Silas, at a plenary session titled “Known Gunmen” during the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) 2026 Annual General Conference in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

He said the expression “known gunmen” had no legal standing, stressing that suspects could not be prosecuted simply because security agencies or members of the public believed their identities were known.

“Suspicion must become evidence; intelligence must become lawful investigation,” he said.

Disu said investigators must complete the process from intelligence gathering through lawful investigation, evidence production, prosecution and conviction.

He urged security agencies to preserve forensic, digital and testimonial evidence, conduct arrests and searches in accordance with the law, ensure proper interrogation procedures, promptly arraign suspects and avoid prolonged detention without trial.

The IGP also called for clearer public reporting on arrests, prosecutions and convictions linked to major attacks.

According to him, security agencies must go beyond announcing that perpetrators are “known” and demonstrate in court how suspects were identified, the offences they allegedly committed and the admissible evidence connecting them to the crimes.

Disu further urged stronger cooperation among security agencies, communities and other stakeholders to disrupt the networks responsible for financing, organising and executing violent crimes.