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As the 2027 general elections approaches, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), has commenced the training of 10,000 Police officers nationwide on election security management.
This is as the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has directed personnel to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anietie Iniedu, made this known in a press statement, Thursday in AbujaN noting that the five-day programme, formally declared open, Thursday, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, was being replicated across designated centres and was focused on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful response to election-related incidents.
He said the first phase brought together officers across 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the training designed to ensure uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment.
He said while addressing participants, the IGP stressed that security was 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.
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.
The Police boss further 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.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the (NPTF), 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.
The ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja, mni, OFR (Rtd.), 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; Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary, Nigeria Police Trust Fund; as well as members of the Force Management Team and other senior Police officers.
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