President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has declared open the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, outlining a six-pillar framework for securing the 2027 general elections.
The conference, which opened on Monday, September 21, 2026, is themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in providing a peaceful and secure environment for the 2027 elections.
Tinubu described the conference as timely, stressing the importance of professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led policing and effective inter-agency collaboration in election security.
He assured the police of continued government support in the areas of training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms.
Speaking at the event, Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, expressed delight at hosting CARSPO for the fourth time.
Uzodimma commended the Nigeria Police Force for sustaining the platform as an avenue for strategic engagement and the development of solutions to emerging security challenges.
In his address, IGP Disu outlined six key pillars that would guide the Police Force’s roadmap for election security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The pillars are strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.
According to Disu, the framework is designed to enable the Police Force to anticipate threats, improve operational preparedness and strengthen coordination among security agencies.
The IGP noted that the opening of CARSPO 2026 coincided with the International Day of Peace, being observed under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
He said the theme was particularly relevant to policing, stressing that investing in peace required professionalism, public trust and proactive measures to prevent violence.
“For the Police, investing in peace requires professionalism, public trust and proactive measures to prevent violence before it occurs,” Disu said.
As part of the conference deliberations, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police to identify and map potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats within their respective commands.
He said the exercise would also strengthen early-warning mechanisms and community-based intelligence ahead of the elections.
Disu further announced that the Nigeria Police Force would unveil an official public election complaints line on October 12, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Police chief also reaffirmed the neutrality of the Force, warning against political violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other electoral offences.
He warned that police personnel who take sides, harass voters, collude with political actors or abuse their powers would be held accountable.
The IGP said the Force remained committed to professional, neutral and intelligence-led policing, as well as stronger collaboration with other security agencies and sustained engagement with communities.
The opening ceremony was attended by Governor Uzodimma and members of the Imo State Executive Council.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was represented by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, while the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Dr Abubakar Makki Yalleman, was represented by Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was represented by Mrs Adigwe A. Nwamaka.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi; Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche; and Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu (rtd).
Former Inspectors-General of Police, IGP Mike Mbama Okiro (rtd) and IGP Usman Alkali Baba (rtd), were also present.
The Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, alongside other PCRC members, attended the conference.
The Nigeria Police Force said the deliberations at CARSPO 2026 would contribute to the development of a comprehensive security roadmap aimed at ensuring that Nigerians can exercise their electoral rights in a safe and secure environment during the 2027 general elections.
