Odita Sunday 
2027 Elections: IGP Disu Warns Police Against Partisanship as 10,000 Officers Begin Training
By Odita Sunday
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned police officers against taking sides in the 2027 general elections, insisting that personnel who compromise the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force will be held accountable.
Disu gave the warning on Thursday, October 22, 2026, as the Force began training 10,000 officers nationwide to prepare them for election security duties ahead of the polls.
The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally opened at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja. The first phase covers 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The programme is designed to equip officers with the skills needed to manage election-related security challenges, including crowd control, conflict prevention, intelligence gathering, human rights protection and the lawful handling of electoral incidents.
Addressing participants, the IGP said the conduct of security personnel would play a critical role in determining whether voters could exercise their rights freely and safely.
He directed officers to protect voters, electoral officials and election materials without fear or favour, stressing that political affiliation must not influence their actions.
Disu also called on police commands to improve intelligence gathering, operational planning and cooperation with other security agencies, particularly in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
He warned that electoral violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other offences would not be tolerated, adding that offenders would face arrest and prosecution in accordance with the law.
To strengthen accountability, the IGP announced plans to establish a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by officers assigned to election duties.
He urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to avoid violence and conduct peaceful campaigns. He also called on journalists and civil society organisations to verify information before sharing it, particularly during the election period when unverified reports could heighten tensions.
The Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to supporting police preparations through training, operational equipment and mobility.
He said the initiative was intended to produce officers who could perform their duties with discipline, impartiality and professionalism throughout the electoral process.
The ceremony attracted representatives of key security and professional institutions, including Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja, (Rtd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Mr Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; and Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff.
Also present were Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; DCG Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps; Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund; members of the Force Management Team and other senior police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said the training was part of its preparations to provide security before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
With the polls approaching, the challenge will be to ensure that the training translates into impartial conduct on the ground, timely responses to electoral offences and protection for voters regardless of their political choices.
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