With the 2027 General Elections less than three months away, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has begun training 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management, as the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process.
The five-day programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally declared open on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja. It is being implemented across designated centres and covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful response to election-related incidents. The first phase brings together officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, and is designed to ensure uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment.
Addressing participants, the IGP said security is the foundation of a credible election and that officers on election duty must protect voters, electoral officials and the process itself without fear or favour. He warned that any officer who compromises the Force’s neutrality will be held accountable, and directed Commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency coordination, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
The IGP also cautioned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in line with the law. He announced that a dedicated 24-hour complaints line would be made available for members of the public to report misconduct by personnel on election duty. He urged political parties, candidates and supporters to campaign peacefully, and called on the media and civil society to verify information before dissemination.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility. He said the initiative aims to produce officers who are disciplined, impartial and responsive throughout the electoral process.
The opening ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (Rtd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff; Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; and DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Members of the Force Management Team and other senior police officers were also present.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Force said it remains committed to sustained training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional, neutral policing, to provide a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 General Elections.
