The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced a nationwide training programme for 10,000 officers on election security management ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, warned personnel against political bias, misconduct and actions capable of undermining the credibility of the electoral process.
The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally declared open on Thursday in Abuja.
The initiative is aimed at strengthening the operational capacity of police personnel to manage security challenges associated with elections, including crowd control, conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, protection of human rights and lawful responses to electoral incidents.
It also seeks to equip officers with the skills required to maintain public order, protect electoral stakeholders and prevent violence before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, Disu stressed that the credibility of elections depended partly on the ability of security agencies to provide a safe environment in which voters could exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation, harassment or interference.
He charged officers to uphold neutrality, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their responsibilities, warning that the police must not be seen as an instrument for advancing the political interests of any party or candidate.
According to him, officers deployed for election duties must be impartial in their dealings with political parties, candidates, supporters and members of the public, irrespective of their political affiliations.
The Inspector-General emphasised that the primary responsibility of the police during elections was to protect voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders, as well as safeguard the electoral process against criminal interference.
He warned that any officer found compromising the neutrality of the Force or engaging in conduct capable of undermining public confidence would be held accountable.
Disu also directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and coordination with other security agencies to identify and address potential threats before they escalate into violence.
He noted that effective election security required adequate preparation, particularly in areas facing terrorism, kidnapping, banditry and communal violence, where existing security challenges could complicate the conduct of elections.
The training is expected to establish common operational standards among participating officers and improve their capacity to respond professionally to different security situations that may arise throughout the electoral cycle.
The first phase of the programme covers officers drawn from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with sessions taking place at designated training centres.
The phased arrangement is intended to ensure that personnel receive consistent instruction ahead of their deployment for election-related duties nationwide.
The programme also covers rules of engagement and human rights protection, reflecting the need for security personnel to operate within the law while responding to electoral offences and public disturbances.
Disu warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that those involved would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He urged officers to remain alert to attempts by political actors and their supporters to disrupt the electoral process, while ensuring that enforcement actions were guided by the law rather than personal interests or political considerations.
The police chief also highlighted accountability as a critical component of election security, announcing plans to establish a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.
The proposed channel would provide members of the public with an avenue to raise concerns about police conduct during the elections and strengthen oversight of personnel operating in politically sensitive environments.
The initiative comes as preparations for the 2027 General Elections require security agencies to develop operational strategies for managing political campaigns, rallies, voting, collation of results and other activities that could generate tension among competing political interests.
Disu further called on political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns and refrain from actions capable of provoking violence or threatening public safety.
He urged political actors to respect the law and allow electoral activities to proceed without intimidation, noting the importance of cooperation among political stakeholders and security agencies in maintaining a peaceful electoral environment.
The Inspector-General also appealed to the media and civil society organisations to verify information before disseminating it, warning against the circulation of unverified reports that could heighten tension or trigger violence during the electoral process.
He said responsible information sharing was important to preventing misinformation and sustaining public confidence, particularly during periods of heightened political activity.
Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility.
Sheidu said the collaboration was designed to produce disciplined, impartial and responsive police officers capable of managing the security demands associated with elections.
He underscored the importance of equipping personnel with the appropriate skills and operational support required to discharge their responsibilities effectively, particularly during major national exercises such as general elections.
The Nigeria Police Trust Fund has been working with the Force to strengthen its capacity through interventions intended to improve personnel development and operational readiness.
The police have reiterated their commitment to protecting the electoral process and ensuring that officers perform their duties professionally, without fear or favour, throughout the 2027 General Elections.
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