The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced training for 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, warning personnel against partisanship and unprofessional conduct.
The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was declared open on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The programme, according to a statement by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, covers crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
The first phase involves officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
Addressing participants, Disu said security was fundamental to credible elections, stressing that officers must protect voters, electoral officials and the electoral process without fear or favour.
He warned that any officer found compromising the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable.
He also directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency collaboration, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
The IGP warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, noting that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also announced plans for a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.
Disu urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, while calling on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before dissemination.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility support.
He said the initiative was designed to produce disciplined, impartial and responsive officers capable of managing election security challenges throughout the electoral process.
The ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (retd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Mr Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; and representatives of the Chief of Army Staff, Chief of Air Staff and Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Also present were Sheidu, members of the Force Management Team and other senior police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would sustain training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional policing to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
