IG assures Nigerians of election security
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to provide security for the 2027 general elections, assuring Nigerians that officers have undergone training to address potential electoral threats.
Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday in Abuja during a meeting with a United Nations delegation led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Leonardo Simão, according to the News Agency of Nigeria.
“As I speak with you, we have embarked on the training of our officers and have updated their knowledge about the elections,” the police chief said.
He said the force had identified security challenges peculiar to the forthcoming elections and was working with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
“Even though the Nigeria Police Force is in charge of the internal security of the country and the elections, we know that we cannot do it alone,” he said.
“We can only succeed with the assistance of our sister security agencies, so we have been having collaborative meetings and trainings together.”
Disu said personnel had participated in joint training sessions with the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service and Department of State Services.
He added that the training covered inclusive election security, particularly how officers should identify and assist persons with disabilities during the electoral process.
Expressing confidence in the force’s readiness, Disu said officers could discharge their responsibilities even if the elections were held immediately.
“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,” he said.
Earlier, Simão warned that political competition could generate tensions and violence if not properly managed.
He urged security authorities to take preventive measures to ensure that electoral contests did not threaten 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.
The UN representative emphasised the police’s responsibility to preserve peace and sought further information on Nigeria’s security preparations ahead of the polls.