IGP Disu Charges Senior Officers to Strengthen Election Security Ahead of 2027 Polls
IGP Disu Charges Senior Officers to Strengthen Election Security Ahead of 2027 Polls
IGP Disu Charges Senior Officers to Strengthen Election Security Ahead of 2027 Polls
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has charged senior police officers to prioritise professionalism, intelligence-led policing and accountability in preparations for the 2027 General Elections.
Disu gave the charge in Owerri, Imo State, at the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026), which is focused on developing a strategic roadmap for effective management of security during the 2027 elections. The three-day conference is holding from September 21 to 23 under the theme, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
The IGP said election security planning must begin well ahead of election day to ensure the protection of voters, electoral officials, candidates and election materials, as well as the integrity of the electoral process.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would continue to tackle kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and communal violence as preparations for the elections intensify.
Disu also warned politicians and their supporters against recruiting thugs, vote-buying, illegal movement of arms, intimidation of voters and attacks on electoral officials.
He said the Police would strengthen collaboration with relevant institutions, including the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), to address electoral offences and ensure that offenders are brought to justice.
The IGP emphasised that election security extends beyond deployment on polling day, covering the entire electoral cycle, including intelligence gathering, strategic planning, personnel training, deployment, protection of electoral personnel and materials, and rapid response to emerging threats.
He directed Commissioners of Police to identify and map electoral flashpoints, strengthen early-warning mechanisms, train personnel in crowd management and human-rights-compliant policing, and establish effective communication channels with members of the public.
The CARSPO 2026 conference brings together senior police officers, policing experts and other stakeholders to examine emerging electoral security challenges, with discussions also focusing on intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies and artificial intelligence.
The Nigeria Police Force said the conference is intended to produce practical strategies for securing voters, electoral personnel, candidates, materials and the wider public before, during and after the 2027 General Elections.
IGP Disu Charges Senior Officers to Strengthen Election Security Ahead of 2027 Polls
