By Our Reporter
President Bola Tinubu has declare open the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State, reaffirming the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring peaceful and secure 2027 general elections.
The President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces, represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, CON, opened the conference on Monday, September 21, 2026.
The conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” focuses on strengthening police preparedness and strategic coordination ahead of the 2027 elections.
Tinubu, according to a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, stressed the importance of professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and effective inter-agency coordination.
He assured the Nigeria Police Force of continued Federal Government support in training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms.
Welcoming participants, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, expressed delight at hosting the conference and retreat for the fourth time.
Uzodimma commended the Nigeria Police Force for sustaining the platform as a means of strategic engagement and developing solutions to contemporary security challenges.
Addressing participants, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, unveiled a six-pillar framework to guide the Force’s election-security roadmap for the 2027 general elections.
The pillars include strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.
Disu noted that the opening ceremony coincided with the International Day of Peace, observed under the 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
He stressed that investing in peace from the perspective of the Police required professionalism, public trust and proactive measures to prevent violence before it occurred.
As part of the conference deliberations, the IGP directed Commissioners of Police to identify and map potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats within their respective commands.
He also called for the strengthening of early-warning systems and community-based intelligence ahead of the elections.
The IGP announced that the Nigeria Police Force would release an official public election complaints line on October 12, 2026, ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Reaffirming the neutrality of the Force, Disu warned against political violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other electoral offences.
He stressed that any police officer found taking sides, harassing voters, colluding with political actors or abusing police powers would be held accountable.
The opening ceremony was attended by the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodimma, and members of the Imo State Executive Council.
Other dignitaries included the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, GCON, represented by Senator Patrick Ndubueze; Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Dr Abubakar Makki Yalleman, represented by Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu; and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mrs Adigwe A. Nwamaka.
Also present were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, represented by Major General O.A. Fadairo; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral S.D. Ibrahim; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, represented by Major General K.N. Nwoko; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, represented by ACG P.C. Chibuoke; and Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, MFR, mni, pcc, psc, represented by CC Ngozi Alice Okereke, pcc, psc.
The Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, rtd, was represented by DIG Taiwo F. Lakanu, rtd, fdc.
Former Inspectors-General of Police, IGP Mike Mbama Okiro, rtd, CFR, NPM, and IGP Usman Alkali Baba, rtd, CFR, NPM, also attended the event.
The Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, alongside other PCRC members, was also present.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to professional, neutral and intelligence-led policing, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and sustained community engagement towards providing a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
