Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force is ready to secure the 2027 general elections, even if the exercise begins tomorrow.
Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving the United Nations Secretary-General’s Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
He said the police had stepped up the training and retraining of officers to prepare them for election security challenges and ensure professional conduct.
The IGP added that lessons from recent off-cycle elections had helped the force identify areas that needed improvement.
He also said the police were working with the Nigerian Army, NSCDC, Customs, Immigration and the DSS to ensure adequate security during the polls.
According to him, officers had also been trained to identify and assist persons with disabilities during elections.
“We are not afraid. We are confident that even if the elections start tomorrow, the Nigerian police is ready to do what is expected of the Nigerian police,” he said.
Disu promised that the police would not fail in maintaining law and order before, during and after the elections.
The police hierarchy also disclosed that intelligence-based threat assessments had been conducted in areas and states at risk of violence. It said more officers and security equipment would be deployed to prevent attacks and ensure smooth voting.
Earlier, Simão highlighted the police’s role in maintaining peace and stability, especially as Nigeria faces security challenges, including terrorism.
He urged officers to remain neutral and professional during the elections, warning against conduct that could reduce public trust in the electoral process.
