Ahead of the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle elections, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu has pledged stricter professionalism and zero tolerance for misconduct during elections.
Disu gave the assurance on Wednesday while hosting the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Joash Amupitan (SAN), and his delegation at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where both institutions aligned strategies for a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The meeting, which had in attendance members of the Force Management Team and top INEC officials, focused on strengthening the nation’s electoral security architecture, with particular attention to the forthcoming Ekiti and Osun governorship polls, upcoming bye-elections, and the 2027 general elections.
In his remarks, Prof. Amupitan underscored the importance of proactive security planning and specialised training for election duty personnel.
He said, “There is an urgent need for proactive security measures and specialised training for personnel to ensure the credibility of our elections.
“We must guarantee a secure environment that allows Internally Displaced Persons and Persons Living with Disabilities to exercise their constitutional rights without fear or hindrance.”
Responding, the IGP described the engagement as timely and critical to democratic stability, noting that the police had already activated strategic measures to address emerging threats.
He said, “This engagement is a timely intervention in our collective effort to safeguard the integrity of Nigeria’s democratic process.”
Disu disclosed that the Force has commenced precision intelligence mapping aimed at neutralising political violence, cult-related activities, and voter intimidation.
He said, “We have activated strategic measures, including precision intelligence mapping to neutralise political violence, cult-related activities, and all forms of intimidation that may undermine the electoral process.”
The IGP further revealed that the Police are strengthening operational logistics to ensure the secure movement of electoral materials and personnel.
He added, “We are undertaking robust planning to guarantee the safe movement of electoral materials and personnel, while also harmonising communication with sister security agencies to ensure a seamless operational front.”
On the issue of misinformation, Disu noted that the Force is putting in place mechanisms to counter false narratives that could disrupt the electoral process.
“We are also intensifying efforts to counter misinformation and disinformation capable of inciting unrest or undermining public confidence in the electoral system,” he said.
Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to professionalism, the IGP stressed that all officers deployed for election duties would operate strictly within the ambit of the law.
He warned, “All personnel deployed for election duty will be guided by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.
“There will be zero tolerance for professional misconduct. Any officer found wanting or engaging in acts that undermine the credibility of the polls will be disciplined in accordance with the law.”
Disu also disclosed that officers are currently undergoing rigorous training focused on rules of engagement and the protection of human rights.
“As the lead agency in election security management, we are committed to maintaining public order while upholding the rights of all citizens,” he said.
The IGP reiterated the Force’s commitment to inclusive elections, assuring that special attention would be given to vulnerable groups.
“We are committed to providing a safe and secure environment for all citizens, particularly Internally Displaced Persons and Persons Living with Disabilities, to freely exercise their franchise,” he added.
While pledging the full support of the Nigeria Police Force to INEC, Disu called for stronger collaboration among all stakeholders.
“We call for unfiltered cooperation from INEC and all relevant stakeholders to ensure a smooth, peaceful, and credible electoral process,” he said.
