2027 Elections: Police Train 10,000 Officers, Disu Warns Against Partisanship
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, with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu warning personnel against partisanship, misconduct and abuse of power.
The five-day training, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The programme is designed to strengthen officers’ capacity to manage election-related security challenges, protect voters and electoral officials, prevent violence and ensure a peaceful environment for the conduct of the elections.
According to the Force, the first phase of the exercise covers 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with training taking place at designated centres to promote uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment.
Addressing participants, Disu emphasised that professional and impartial policing was essential to credible elections, directing officers assigned to electoral duties to protect voters, electoral officials and the electoral process without fear or favour.
He warned that officers who compromised the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable, while directing police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency collaboration, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
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The IGP also cautioned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that those found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
To strengthen public accountability, Disu announced plans for a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by police officers deployed for election duties.
He further urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct their campaigns peacefully, while calling on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before disseminating it to prevent the spread of misinformation that could heighten political tensions.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility.
Sheidu said the initiative was aimed at producing disciplined, impartial and responsive officers capable of managing 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; Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; and Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff.
Others included Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; Deputy Comptroller-General of Customs Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Sheidu; members of the Force Management Team; and other senior police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would sustain training, intelligence-led planning and inter-agency cooperation as part of efforts to provide a secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
By PRNigeria
