The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced the training of 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji 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 focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
According to the Force, the first phase involves officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), with the initiative designed to establish uniform operational standards ahead of nationwide deployment for the elections.
Addressing participants, Disu described security as fundamental to credible elections and charged officers to protect voters, electoral officials and the electoral process without fear or favour.
He warned that officers who compromise the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable, directing 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 also warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, assuring that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He further announced plans to establish 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 encouraging the media and civil society organisations to verify information before dissemination.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the NPTF, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility support.
He said the initiative was aimed at equipping officers with the discipline, impartiality and professionalism required to manage election-related security challenges.
The ceremony was attended by Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (rtd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; Brigadier-General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff; and Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff.
Others included Deputy Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General, alongside members of the Police Force Management Team and other senior officers.
The Police said the training formed part of its preparations for the 2027 general elections, with emphasis on intelligence-led planning, inter-agency cooperation and professional, impartial policing to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights.
