The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to ensure peaceful and successful conduct of the 2027 general elections.
Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja when a delegation led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Leonardo Simao, paid him a courtesy visit.
The police chief said the force had commenced training programmes for its personnel and updated their knowledge of election security and emerging challenges ahead of the polls.
“As I speak with you, we have embarked on the training of our officers and have updated their knowledge about the elections.
“We have taken note of peculiar issues that will be relating to the 2027 general elections,” he said.
Disu acknowledged that although the police were responsible for internal security and election policing, the force could not successfully secure the electoral process without the support of other security agencies.
He said the police had therefore strengthened collaboration with sister security agencies through joint meetings and training exercises.
According to him, the exercises involved personnel of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services.
The IGP added that the training programmes also focused on ensuring the inclusion and protection of all voters, particularly persons living with disabilities.
He said officers had been trained to identify persons with disabilities and understand the appropriate ways to assist them during the electoral process.
Expressing confidence in the force’s level of preparedness, Disu said the police were ready to discharge their responsibilities even if the elections were scheduled to hold immediately.
“So far so good, we are not afraid. We are confident that even if the elections start tomorrow, the Nigeria Police Force is ready to do what is expected of the force.
“We are ever ready to go, and we want to assure you that Nigerians will not be disappointed with the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in the election,” he said.
Earlier, Simao said political competition during elections often generated strong emotions that could escalate into violence if not properly managed.
He noted that electoral violence remained a major concern in West Africa and other parts of the world, stressing the need for adequate measures to prevent elections from threatening national peace and stability.
“It is important, therefore, that all measures are taken to ensure that elections continue to be a political competition and not a danger to peace and stability of the country,” he said.
Simao emphasised the critical role of the police in maintaining peace and stability during elections and sought an assessment of Nigeria’s level of preparedness for the 2027 polls, particularly the force’s role in securing the process.
“The police have a special responsibility in the preservation of peace and stability.
“Therefore, we’d like to ask you to share with us, how do you see the country being prepared for elections, and in particular, your role?” he asked.
NAN
