The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the Nigeria Police Force to prepare early for the 2027 General Elections, warning politicians and their supporters against violence, voter intimidation and other electoral offences.
Disu gave the directive on Monday in Owerri, Imo State, while declaring open the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026. The conference is focused on developing a roadmap for effective management of security during elections.
The IGP said election security required early intelligence gathering, proper planning, training, coordination and professional deployment to protect voters, electoral officials, materials and the electoral process.
He warned politicians and their supporters against recruiting thugs, buying votes, moving arms and intimidating voters or electoral officials, saying the Police would enforce the law against electoral offenders.
Disu also said the police would work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate electoral offences and ensure that suspects face prosecution.
The IGP stressed that the responsibility of the Police covers the entire electoral cycle, from intelligence gathering and planning to training, deployment, protection of electoral personnel and rapid response to security threats.
He directed Commissioners of Police to map electoral flashpoints, strengthen early-warning systems, train personnel in crowd management and human-rights-compliant policing, and establish clear communication channels with the public.
Disu said the Force would also continue to tackle kidnapping, terrorism, banditry and communal violence as preparations for the elections continue.
He disclosed that since assuming office in February 2026, the Force had arrested 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists.
According to him, the police also rescued 1,066 kidnapped victims and recovered 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition during the period.
The conference, which runs from September 21 to 23, is expected to produce strategies for strengthening election security before, during and after the 2027 General Elections.
