By Iyabode Pius
Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has unveiled a six-point security roadmap for the 2027 general elections, directing police commands to intensify intelligence gathering, strengthen training and maintain strict political neutrality.
Disu announced the measures on Monday at the opening of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Owerri, Imo State, where he also disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force had arrested 1,643 suspects and rescued 1,066 kidnap victims since he assumed office in February.
The retreat, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Election Security,” is expected to produce a practical framework for the deployment and coordination of police personnel before, during and after the 2027 elections.
Under the six-point roadmap, Disu ordered the immediate mapping of electoral flashpoints and criminal networks, with credible intelligence to be transmitted promptly to commands for necessary action.
He said police officers must also undergo rigorous training in crowd management, protection of electoral materials and personnel, as well as human-rights-compliant policing.
The IGP directed that joint exercises involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other security agencies be conducted to establish clear lines of command and coordination before election-related incidents occur.
He also ordered intensified monitoring of election-related disinformation, including fake results, forged police statements and inflammatory videos, warning that individuals who use social media to incite violence would face prosecution.
Disu, who cited the recent Osun State governorship election as a lesson for the Force, said the poll was largely peaceful despite isolated incidents of voter intimidation and inducement.
He directed the police to review their intelligence gathering, response time and training gaps ahead of the 2027 elections.
The IGP warned that officers found taking sides, harassing voters or colluding with political actors would be investigated and punished.
He also ordered all Commissioners of Police to publish official contact numbers to enable members of the public to reach them during the electoral process.
Disu tasked participants at the retreat with producing a practical roadmap for training, deployment and command structures, stressing that the document must not become “another document on a shelf.”
He set October 12 as the deadline for completion of the roadmap and establishment of an election-security taskforce.
Charging officers to remain focused, the IGP said: “Neutral. Prepared. Present. Accountable.”
On the Force’s eight-month operational scorecard, Disu said 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists were arrested.
He added that police operations during the period led to the recovery of 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition, while 1,066 kidnapped victims were rescued.
However, the IGP acknowledged that the figures would offer little consolation to Nigerians still facing kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence.
“Numbers do not console a grieving family. 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,” he said.
Disu also paid tribute to police officers who died in the line of duty and pledged improved welfare for their families and serving personnel.
The retreat coincided with the International Day of Peace, commemorated globally under the theme, “Invest in Peace — For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The opening ceremony, held at the Emmanuel Iwuanyanwu International Convention Centre, Owerri, was attended by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, representing President Bola Tinubu; Imo State Governor, Hope Uzodimma; a representative of the Senate President; military and security chiefs, and captains of industry.
CARSPO is organised annually by Lenders Consult in collaboration with the Force Headquarters and other sponsors as a platform for police management and security stakeholders to develop strategies for effective and accountable policing.
Disu thanked Governor Uzodimma for hosting the sixth edition of the retreat and commended Lenders Consult Nigeria Limited for its support.
He also acknowledged President Tinubu’s support for the police through improved welfare, equipment, recruitment and funding.
