The Inspector-General of the Nigeria Police Force, IGP Olatunji Disu, has charged senior police officers to intensify preparations for Nigeria’s 2027 general elections, declaring that the Force must remain “Neutral, Prepared, Present and Accountable”.
Disu gave the charge on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State.
The IGP said the Police would play a critical role in securing the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, as well as the Governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections slated for February 6, 2027.
According to Disu, election security would depend heavily on the ability of senior officers to plan ahead, gather intelligence, coordinate with other security agencies and respond swiftly to emerging threats.
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“Nigeria is about to ask its people to choose their leaders. How safe those elections are will depend heavily on the officers in this hall. That is why we are here,” Disu said.
The Inspector-General gave assurance that the Nigeria Police Force would uphold the President’s charge for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections, while warning politicians and their supporters against violence, vote-buying, arms movement and intimidation.
“Compete with ideas, not with thugs,” the police chief warned, stressing that the Force would act against anyone who engaged in electoral offences, regardless of status.
Disu said the Police would also work with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and prosecutors to ensure that electoral offenders faced investigation and prosecution.
The IGP maintained that arrests alone would not be sufficient if electoral offences continued to go unpunished.
“Impunity is the greatest encouragement to electoral crime,” Disu said.
The police chief also disclosed that since he assumed office in February 2026, police operations had resulted in the arrest of 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists.
Disu noted that the Force had rescued 1,066 kidnap victims and recovered 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition.
Despite these achievements, the Inspector-General acknowledged that kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence remained serious threats to Nigerians.
He stressed that the approach to national security would not be relaxed because of the approaching elections.
“We will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming. We will fight them and secure the elections at the same time,” Disu said.
The IGP outlined a six-point roadmap for election security, beginning with early intelligence and warning systems.
He directed Commissioners of Police to map potential flashpoints and criminal networks, understand the communities under their command and ensure that credible intelligence reached senior commanders in time for preventive action.
Disu also stressed the need for effective coordination among security agencies, adequate deployment of personnel, continuous training and strict adherence to professional and ethical standards throughout the electoral period.
The Inspector-General urged the senior officers to remain impartial and professional, warning that the Police must earn and maintain public confidence before, during and after the elections.
