The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to provide adequate security before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
Disu said the police had commenced preparations, including specialised training for personnel and collaborations with other security agencies, to prevent electoral violence and ensure a peaceful exercise.
The police chief gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Leonardo Simao.
According to Disu, the police have identified potential security threats associated with the forthcoming elections and are taking proactive measures to address them.
He explained that election security required cooperation among different security institutions, adding that the police had been holding joint meetings and training exercises with relevant agencies.
Among the organisations involved in the preparations are the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and the Department of State Services (DSS).
The IGP also disclosed that the training programmes included guidelines on how police officers should interact with voters, particularly persons living with disabilities.
He said personnel were being equipped with the necessary knowledge to identify voters with disabilities and provide appropriate assistance to ensure their participation in the electoral process.
Expressing confidence in the force’s preparedness, Disu said the police would not be caught off guard 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 Nigerian Police Force is ready to do what is expected of the force,” he said.
“We are ever ready to go, and we want to assure you that Nigerians will not be disappointed with the activities of the Nigerian Police Force in the election.”
Earlier, Simao noted that elections often generate intense political competition and emotions, which could trigger violence if not properly managed.
He identified election-related violence as a recurring challenge in West Africa and other parts of the world, stressing the importance of preventing political disagreements from threatening national peace and stability.
The UN representative emphasised that security agencies, particularly the police, had a critical responsibility to maintain law and order throughout the electoral process.
He subsequently sought clarification from the IGP on the level of Nigeria’s preparedness for the 2027 elections and the specific measures being put in place by the police to guarantee a peaceful exercise.
