By Our Reporter
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), has commenced the training of 10,000 police officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, charged officers to remain neutral, professional and accountable throughout the electoral process, warning that any personnel found compromising the Force’s impartiality would be held responsible.
The five-day training programme was formally opened on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja. The first phase covers 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the programme designed to establish uniform operational standards before the nationwide deployment of officers.
The training focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
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 directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency coordination, 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 announced plans for a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties. He also urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, while calling on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before disseminating it.
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.
Sheidu said the initiative was aimed at equipping officers with the discipline, impartiality and responsiveness required to manage election security effectively.
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; Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff; Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; and DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Other attendees included members of the Police Force Management Team, senior police officers and representatives of relevant institutions.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to sustained training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency collaboration and professional, impartial policing to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 General Elections.
