The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a nationwide training programme for 10,000 personnel on election security ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, urging officers to uphold neutrality, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their duties.
The five-day exercise, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, was officially inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The programme is designed to equip officers with the skills required to manage election-related security challenges, including crowd control, conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, human rights protection, rules of engagement and lawful responses to electoral incidents.
According to the Force, the first phase of the training covers 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with activities taking place at designated centres to establish uniform operational standards for personnel ahead of their deployment across the country.
Addressing participants at the opening ceremony, Disu emphasised the importance of security in ensuring credible elections, charging officers to protect voters, electoral officials and the electoral process without fear, favour or political bias.
He warned that any personnel found compromising the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable, while directing police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and collaboration with other security agencies.
The IGP also called for heightened vigilance in areas facing security challenges, including terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, stressing the need for effective coordination to prevent such threats from undermining the electoral process.
Disu further warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stating that individuals found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
To strengthen public accountability, the police chief announced plans to establish a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report alleged misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.
He also urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully, while encouraging media organisations and civil society groups to verify information before sharing it to prevent the spread of misinformation during the election period.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the organisation’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility.
Sheidu said the initiative was aimed at ensuring that officers deployed for election duties were disciplined, impartial and capable of responding effectively to security challenges throughout the electoral process.
The ceremony was attended by several dignitaries and representatives of security and professional institutions, including Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (retd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Mr 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.
Others included DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Sheidu; members of the Force Management Team; and other senior police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would sustain training, intelligence-led planning and inter-agency collaboration to provide a secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
