The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced training for 10,000 officers nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directing personnel to maintain neutrality, professionalism and accountability.
The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.
The exercise, being conducted at designated centres, covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
The first phase involves officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, with the initiative designed to establish uniform operational standards ahead of their deployment across the country.
Addressing participants, Disu emphasised that security was fundamental to credible elections, directing officers to protect voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process without fear or favour.
He warned that any personnel found compromising the neutrality of the Force would be held accountable, while urging police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency collaboration, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
The police chief also warned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, stressing that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He disclosed that a dedicated 24-hour complaints line would be established to enable members of the public to report misconduct by officers deployed for election duties.
Disu further 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 to prevent misinformation and potential electoral tensions.
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 producing disciplined, impartial and responsive officers capable of effectively managing security challenges throughout the electoral process.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of key security and electoral institutions, including Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (retd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC); Mr 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 the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General; members of the Police Force Management Team; and other senior officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it remained committed to sustained training, intelligence-led security planning, inter-agency cooperation and professional policing to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
The training comes as the Force intensifies preparations for the elections, with the neutrality and conduct of security personnel expected to play a critical role in public confidence in the electoral process.
