2027: IGP charges neutrality as NPF begins training of 10,000 officers

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), on Thursday commenced the training of 10,000 police officers nationwide on election security management.

According to a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja by the Force Spokesperson, CSP Ani Ineidu, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, urged the personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process.

The statement explained that the five-day programme, formally declared open in Abuja, is being implemented across designated centres and focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful response to election-related incidents.

According to it, “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.

It further added that, while addressing the personnel, the IGP stressed that security is the foundation of a credible election and that officers deployed for election duties must protect voters, electoral officials and the process without fear or favour.

He warned that any officer who compromises the neutrality of the force would be held accountable, while directing commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency coordination, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.

It added that the IGP also warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

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It further explained that the IGP announced that a dedicated 24-hour complaints line would be made available for members of the public to report misconduct by personnel on election duty, while urging political parties, candidates and supporters to campaign peacefully and encouraging the media and civil society to verify information before dissemination.

The statement added that, while speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility, noting that the initiative is aimed at producing officers who are disciplined, impartial and responsive throughout the electoral process.

It reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force remained committed to sustained training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional, neutral policing towards providing a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.