Police begins training of 10,000 officers for 2027 polls

— Disu warns personnel against partisanship, electoral offences

By Kingsley Omonobi

ABUJA — The Nigeria Police Force has commenced training for 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, charging personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable.

The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally inaugurated at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, on Thursday.

According to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, the programme is being conducted across designated centres and covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.

“The first phase brings together officers across 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the training designed to ensure uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment,” the statement said.

Addressing participants, Disu said security was fundamental to credible elections, stressing that officers deployed for electoral duties must protect voters, electoral officials and the electoral process without fear or favour.

He warned that any officer who compromised the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable.

The IGP also directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency coordination, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

He warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, saying offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Disu further announced plans for a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.

He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, while calling on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before disseminating it.

Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility.

Sheidu said the initiative was aimed at equipping officers to remain disciplined, impartial and responsive throughout the electoral process.

The ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malafa (retd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Brigadier-General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff; and Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff.

Also present were Deputy Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General; Sheidu; members of the Force Management Team; and other senior police officers.

The Nigeria Police Force said it remained committed to sustained training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional, impartial policing to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights in 2027.

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