The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to ensuring peaceful, secure and inclusive elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
In a statement, Force Public Relations Officer Force Headquarters, Abuja CSP Ani Iniedu said Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, when he received a delegation led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
The meeting focused on the police’s preparedness for the 2027 elections and strategies to prevent electoral violence, strengthen security and promote inclusiveness.
Simão said the visit provided an opportunity to discuss election-security preparations amid prevailing security challenges across West Africa and the Sahel.
He emphasised the need to prevent political competition from degenerating into violence and maintain public confidence in the impartiality of the police.
The UN representative also sought information on lessons learnt from previous elections and measures to protect vulnerable voters, particularly internally displaced persons (IDPs).
Responding, Disu said experiences from previous elections, including off-cycle polls, were shaping the Force’s operational planning and training programmes.
He disclosed that police personnel and officers from other security agencies were undergoing training to improve coordination, election-security management and protection of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
The IGP also highlighted ongoing threat assessments across police formations to guide deployment and targeted security operations.
According to him, the police are collaborating with other security agencies to address security threats in vulnerable areas, with particular attention to ensuring that IDPs can exercise their electoral rights in a safe environment.
Disu further underscored the Force’s partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the timely and secure distribution of electoral materials.
He said joint training, improved inter-agency coordination and stakeholder engagement were central to strengthening preparations for the elections.
The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to professional and impartial policing, sustained cooperation with security agencies and constructive engagement with stakeholders to guarantee a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights.
