The Nigeria Police Force has commenced nationwide training for 10,000 officers on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, with Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu warning personnel against political bias and misconduct.
The five-day programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja. The first phase involves officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
According to a statement issued by Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu, the training focuses on crowd control, conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, human rights, rules of engagement and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
Addressing participants, Disu stressed that police officers assigned to electoral duties must protect voters, electoral officials and the voting process without political interference.
He warned that any officer found compromising the neutrality of the police would be held accountable, directing police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and cooperation with other security agencies.
The police chief also cautioned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching and vote-buying, stating that individuals found committing electoral offences would face prosecution in accordance with the law.
Disu 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.
He further called for increased security preparedness in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence, emphasising the need for professional responses to emerging threats.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the organisation's commitment to supporting police preparedness through training, operational equipment and improved mobility.
Sheidu explained that the initiative was intended to equip officers with the knowledge and resources necessary to perform their election duties professionally and impartially.
Representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Nigerian Bar Association, armed forces and other security agencies attended the inauguration.
The training forms part of the police force's preparations to strengthen security before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
While the programme targets 10,000 officers nationwide, the police have not indicated that all participants have completed the training.
The force maintained that continued professional development, intelligence-led operations and inter-agency cooperation would remain central to its election security preparations.
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