Odita Sunday 
2027: Police Assure Neutrality, Equal Security for All Candidates – AIG Jimoh
By Odita Sunday
The Nigeria Police Force has assured political parties, candidates and other stakeholders of its neutrality and equal protection ahead of the 2027 general elections, saying no political party or candidate would receive preferential treatment from the force.
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone II, AIG Olorundare Jimoh, gave the assurance while speaking on the preparations of the police for the elections, stressing that the responsibility of the force was to provide security for all political actors and ensure that the electoral process was not disrupted.
Jimoh said the presence of a police commissioner at a political gathering should not automatically be interpreted as partisan support, explaining that senior police officers routinely inspect security deployments at political events to ensure that adequate protection is provided.
He cited his experience as Commissioner of Police in Lagos, where he said he personally inspected security arrangements at major political gatherings, including events held at Eagle Square and the International Conference Centre Abuja.
According to him, the same security responsibility applies to every political party, candidate or pressure group participating in the electoral process.
“If another group is a pressure group or whatsoever group is supporting another candidate, the police have the responsibility to equally provide security for them. Any other candidate, the police have the responsibility to equally provide security for them,” he said.
The AIG said the police were strengthening preparations in Zone II, comprising Lagos and Ogun states, through regular engagements with political parties and other critical stakeholders.
He disclosed that the command had also intensified patrols and what he described as “show of force” exercises to reassure residents and deter activities capable of disrupting the electoral process.
Jimoh said the police were particularly concerned about the activities of political supporters who could act outside the directives of their parties and create security challenges during campaigns.
He said the police would continue to engage political parties and their supporters while warning them against instigating violence in areas where they might campaign.
According to him, election security planning covers three major stages the pre-election period, the election proper and the post-election period with the police already working on each phase.
He said the Inspector-General of Police had earlier directed police commands across the country to launch campaigns against thuggery and the involvement of youths and other persons in activities capable of undermining the electoral process.
The campaign, he said, involved critical stakeholders in various commands, while follow-up activities had continued across police zones and commands.
In Zone II, Jimoh said the command went further by organising a one-day election-security training on August 31, 2026, involving the police, military and other security and safety agencies under the inter-agency committee on election security.
The training also involved representatives of the media, traditional rulers and the National Youth Service Corps in Lagos and Ogun states, given the important role of NYSC members as ad hoc election personnel.
He said the objective was to ensure that all agencies understood their responsibilities, coordinated effectively and avoided actions that could interfere with the electoral process.
Jimoh also disclosed that the police were conducting threat assessments across the country to identify emerging security challenges and guide deployment plans ahead of the elections.
He said the process would enable the police and other security agencies to anticipate potential flashpoints and deploy personnel appropriately.
On concerns about inflammatory political statements, the AIG said the police had a responsibility to investigate such statements where they could constitute a threat to public order, adding that an investigation involving a senator over an alleged inflammatory statement was ongoing at the Inspector-General of Police’s office.
He said the outcome of the investigation would be made public.
The AIG further urged political actors to play by the rules, stressing that while Nigerians had the right to belong to and campaign for political parties of their choice, nobody should use political mobilisation as a platform to incite violence.
He said professionalism, neutrality and coordination would remain central to the police’s election-security strategy.
Jimoh assured Nigerians that the police were adequately preparing for the 2027 elections and would work with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
He urged political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of undermining the credibility and safety of the elections.
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