The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a nationwide training programme for 10,000 officers on election security management ahead of the 2027 General Elections, with Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, urging personnel to uphold neutrality, professionalism and accountability.
The five-day programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja. The training is being conducted across designated centres, with the first phase covering officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the programme covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents. It is designed to establish uniform operational standards ahead of officers’ deployment for election duties.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Disu stressed that professional and impartial policing was essential to credible elections, noting that security personnel had a responsibility to protect voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process.
“Security is the foundation of a credible election,” the IG said, warning that officers who compromise the Force’s neutrality would be held accountable. He also directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency collaboration.
Disu called for heightened security in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, urging officers to remain vigilant and respond professionally to emerging threats. He also announced plans to establish a dedicated 24-hour complaints line to enable members of the public to report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.
The police chief urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns. He also called on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before sharing it with the public.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility support. He said the initiative would help ensure that officers were adequately equipped to carry out their duties with discipline, impartiality and professionalism.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Bar Association, the Nigerian Army, the Nigerian Air Force and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, alongside members of the Police Force Management Team and other senior officers.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to continuous training, intelligence-led planning and inter-agency cooperation to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 General Elections.
