President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force in ensuring peaceful, credible and secure conduct of the 2027 General Elections.
Tinubu made the commitment on Monday in Owerri, Imo State, while declaring open the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026), themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President stressed the need for professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led policing and effective inter-agency coordination in managing election security.
He assured the Nigeria Police Force of continued Federal Government support in the areas of training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms, describing the conference as timely ahead of the 2027 elections.
Welcoming participants to the conference, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, expressed delight at hosting CARSPO for the fourth time, commending the Nigeria Police Force for sustaining the platform as a strategic forum for addressing emerging security challenges.
In his address, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, outlined a six-pillar framework to guide the Force’s roadmap for election security ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
The framework comprises strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.
Disu said the Police must remain proactive in identifying threats and preventing violence rather than merely responding to incidents after they occur.
The IGP also noted that the opening of the conference coincided with the International Day of Peace, observed under the 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
He said investing in peace from the perspective of policing requires professionalism, public trust and proactive measures capable of preventing violence before it occurs.
As part of the conference deliberations, Commissioners of Police are expected to identify and map potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats within their respective commands.
They are also expected to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and community-based intelligence gathering ahead of the elections.
Disu further announced that the Nigeria Police Force would release an official public election complaints line on 12 October 2026, ahead of the 2027 General Elections.
Reaffirming the neutrality of the Force, the IGP warned against political violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other electoral offences.
He stressed that police officers found taking sides, harassing voters, colluding with political actors or abusing their powers would be held accountable.
The opening ceremony was attended by Governor Uzodimma and members of the Imo State Executive Council, alongside the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, represented by Senator Patrick Ndubueze.
Others included the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Dr Abubakar Makki Yalleman, represented by Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu; Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mrs Adigwe A. Nwamaka; and other senior government, security and law-enforcement officials.
The Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, was represented by Major General O.A. Fadairo, while the Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, was represented by Rear Admiral S.D. Ibrahim.
The Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, was represented by Major General K.N. Nwoko, while the Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, was represented by ACG P.C. Chibuoke.
Also represented were the Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, and the Chairman of the Police Service Commission, DIG Hashimu Salihu Argungu, rtd., represented by DIG Taiwo F. Lakanu, rtd..
Former Inspectors-General of Police, IGP Mike Mbama Okiro, rtd., and IGP Usman Alkali Baba, rtd., as well as the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee, Alhaji Mogaji Ibrahim Olaniyan, and other PCRC members, also attended the event.
The Nigeria Police Force said it remained committed to professional, neutral and intelligence-led policing, strengthened inter-agency collaboration and sustained community engagement to provide a safe and secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 General Elections.
