2027 Elections: Nigeria Police, UK Train 55 Officers to Boost Counter-Terrorism Operations
The Nigeria Police Force has trained 55 personnel of its Counter Terrorism Unit (CTU) in specialised intelligence analysis and close-quarter battle techniques as part of efforts to strengthen the country’s counter-terrorism capacity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The two-week training programme, which ended on October 30, 2026, was organised in partnership with the British High Commission through the Office of the Counter Terrorism Regional Coordinator for West Africa.
The programme brought together 55 officers drawn from various CTU bases across the country and focused on Intelligence Analysis (IA) and Close Quarter Battle (CQB).
According to the police, the training was designed to improve participants’ intelligence-gathering, analytical and operational decision-making capabilities, particularly in interpreting and applying credible intelligence to security operations.
The curriculum covered intelligence fundamentals and principles, human intelligence tools, open-source intelligence, principles of close-quarter battle, weapon carriage and room-clearance procedures.
Speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit, AIG Akoh B. Gabriel, expressed the Force’s appreciation to the British High Commission for its continued support and partnership in combating terrorism.
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He disclosed that 165 police personnel had benefited from the specialised training since its inception, including officers who attended sponsored programmes at the International Academy in Côte d’Ivoire.
Gabriel further revealed that the CTU, in collaboration with experts from the British High Commission, had undertaken a comprehensive review of its training programmes and conducted a training needs assessment to address emerging terrorist threats and evolving criminal tactics.
He said the assessment would inform an expanded training programme in 2027, covering tactical operations, musketry, counter-terrorism investigations, and battlefield evidence collection, preservation and chain of custody.
The police chief’s representative urged the participants to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the discharge of their duties, particularly as preparations intensify for the 2027 general elections.
He charged CTU personnel to support the Force in providing effective security during the elections, stressing that the Inspector-General of Police was committed to ensuring a free, fair and credible electoral process through police neutrality and the provision of a secure environment for peaceful participation.
Other dignitaries at the closing ceremony included the representative of the British High Commission, Lieutenant Colonel Ian Tyler; the Commissioner of Police in charge of the Counter Terrorism Unit, CP Taiwo A. Adedeji, psc; and the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of the Unit, ACP Moses Osor, psc.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening the professional capacity of its personnel through specialised training and strategic international partnerships to enable them to discharge their constitutional responsibilities in line with international best practices.
By PRNigeria
