As the 2025 festive season approaches, the Kaduna State Police Command has initiated a major, proactive security operation along the vital Kaduna-Abuja highway, a critical artery connecting Nigeria’s capital to the northern region. This strategic move aims to ensure the safety of the surge in travelers expected during the Yuletide period and represents a significant inter-agency collaboration to secure one of the country’s most important transit corridors.
High-Level, Joint Patrols Activated
On Monday, December 22, 2025, the Commissioner of Police for Kaduna State, Rabiu Muhammad, personally led a high-profile joint anti-crime patrol. He was accompanied by all tactical commanders from the state command. This was not an isolated exercise but a direct implementation of a nationwide directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun, mandating enhanced security for a hitch-free festive season across Nigeria.
The operation’s significance is amplified by its collaborative nature. The patrol was conducted in partnership with the Commissioner of Police for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Command. This inter-command cooperation is crucial, as it eliminates security gaps at jurisdictional boundaries and presents a unified front against criminal elements who often exploit such administrative divides. The operation explicitly covers all border areas between Kaduna State and the FCT, ensuring seamless security coverage.
Objectives: Deterrence, Reassurance, and Sustained Presence
According to the command’s spokesperson, DSP Mansir Hassan, the reinforced patrols serve multiple, interconnected purposes:
- Deterrence: A visible, round-the-clock police presence is designed to prevent criminal activities—such as kidnapping, armed robbery, and highway violence—before they occur.
- Reassurance: For commuters and residents, the sight of coordinated security forces aims to build confidence and alleviate the travel anxieties that have become associated with this route in recent years.
- Sustained Security: DSP Hassan assured the public that these patrols and surveillance measures would be maintained “throughout the festive season and beyond.” This commitment to a lasting security framework, rather than a temporary show of force, is a key aspect of the new strategy.
Commissioner Muhammad reiterated the command’s resolve to safeguard all commuters, residents, and travelers, acknowledging the invaluable support of the Military and other security agencies in the ongoing effort to secure the highway.
A Stern Warning on the Dangers of Misinformation
Beyond the physical security measures, the police issued a forceful warning against the circulation of misinformation, particularly on social media. The commissioner admonished individuals who “always mislead the public… about negative publicity” to desist immediately.
This warning highlights a growing challenge for security operations: false or exaggerated reports of attacks can cause panic, misdirect security resources, and erode public trust just as effectively as actual crimes. The police made it clear that purveyors of such misinformation will “face the full wrath of the law,” indicating potential prosecution under relevant cybercrime laws.
Context and Importance of the Kaduna-Abuja Highway
To understand the gravity of this operation, one must consider the highway’s role. The Kaduna-Abuja road is not just another highway; it is a primary economic and social lifeline. It facilitates the movement of goods, services, and people between the political heart of Nigeria and the vast northern region. Historically, it has faced security challenges, making its safety a national priority, especially during periods of high traffic like Christmas and New Year.
The public is urged to cooperate with security agencies by providing legitimate, actionable intelligence through official channels and to verify sensational information before sharing it. The success of this security reinforcement, as noted by the commissioner, ultimately depends on this vital partnership between the police and a responsible, informed citizenry.
Source: NAN News. Edited by Bashir Rabe Mani.
