Police begin training 10,000 officers on election security ahead of 2027 polls

By: Tunji Okunlola

The Nigeria Police Force has begun training 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu told the officers to stay neutral, professional and accountable.

Police spokesman CSP Ani Iniedu said in a statement on Thursday that the five-day programme, run with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, was formally opened that day at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja. The training is being held at designated centres. It covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.

The first phase includes officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory. The programme is meant to set uniform operational standards before the officers are deployed on election duty.

‘Without fear or favour’

Disu said professional and impartial policing is essential to credible elections, and that security personnel play a critical role in protecting voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the process. “Security is the foundation of a credible election,” he said, adding that officers must carry out their duties without fear or favour.

He warned that any officer found to have compromised the Force’s neutrality would be held accountable. He directed commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and cooperation with other agencies, and called for heightened security in areas hit by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

The police chief also warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, saying offenders would be arrested and prosecuted. He announced plans to set up a dedicated 24-hour complaints line where the public can report misconduct by police personnel on election duty.

Disu urged political parties, candidates and supporters to campaign peacefully, and asked the media and civil society groups to verify information before sharing it.

Trust Fund backing

Nigeria Police Trust Fund Executive Secretary Mohammed Sheidu said the Fund remains committed to supporting police preparedness through training, equipment and mobility. He said the goal is for officers deployed on election duty to be well prepared and to work with discipline, impartiality and professionalism.

The opening ceremony was attended by representatives of security and electoral bodies. They included Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (rtd.), representing the INEC chairman; Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, for the Chief of Army Staff; Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, for the Chief of Air Staff; and Deputy Comptroller-General Zakari Ibrahim, for the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Members of the Force Management Team and other senior officers were also present.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to continued training, intelligence-led planning and cooperation with other agencies to provide a safe environment for voters in 2027.