2027 Elections: Police Begin Training 10,000 Officers

Nigeria Police Force don begin train 10,000 officers on how to handle election security ahead of the 2027 general elections, as Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, warn officers make dem no support any political party or show bias.

The five-day training programme, wey Nigeria Police Trust Fund join hand organise, start on Thursday for Nigeria Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja.

The first stage of the training involve police officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

The training cover how to control crowd, prevent conflict, respect human rights, gather intelligence and respond to election-related problems according to the law.

Disu talk say police officers must protect voters, electoral officials and the election process without fear or favour.

E warn say any officer wey compromise the neutrality of the Police Force go face accountability.

The Inspector-General of Police also direct police commands to improve intelligence gathering, operational planning and cooperation with other security agencies, especially for areas wey terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence dey affect.

E warn against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching and vote-buying. E add say dem go arrest and prosecute anybody wey commit these offences according to the law.

To make officers more accountable, Disu announce plans to set up one special 24-hour complaint line wey members of the public fit use to report any misconduct by police officers wey dem deploy for election duties.

E also urge political parties, candidates and their supporters to carry out peaceful campaigns.

The police chief call on media organisations and civil society groups to verify information before dem share am, so dem no go spread false information during the election period.

Executive Secretary of Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirm the Fund commitment to support police preparedness through training, operational equipment and better movement facilities.

The Police talk say the initiative na to establish one standard way of carrying out election duties and prepare officers to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights during the 2027 elections.