Roadmap for Election Security

Ahead of the 2027 general elections, the Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has directed the Nigeria Police Force to intensify monitoring of election-related disinformation. This includes the spread of fake results, forged police statements, and inflammatory videos capable of triggering violence across the country.

Speaking at the opening of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Owerri, Imo State, Disu unveiled a six-point roadmap designed for the effective management of election security. The conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Election Security,” serves as a platform for senior officers and security stakeholders to strategize on ensuring peaceful and credible polling.

Digital Monitoring and Tactical Directives

The IGP emphasized that the Police Force will pay particular attention to the use of digital platforms used to spread false information and incite violence before, during, and after the elections. He noted that election security must extend beyond the physical deployment of personnel, as the information environment significantly influences public confidence.

To enhance transparency and communication, Disu directed Commissioners of Police across the country to publish official contact numbers. These lines will enable members of the public to report security threats and obtain verified information during the electoral process. Additionally, the Force plans to strengthen early intelligence gathering by mapping electoral flashpoints and criminal networks to allow for preventive action.

Professionalism and Protection of Vulnerable Groups

Officers deployed for election duties are set to undergo rigorous training in crowd management, protection of electoral materials, and human-rights-compliant policing. The IGP further directed the Force to conduct joint exercises with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and other sister security agencies to establish clear lines of command and coordination.

Disu issued a stern warning to police officers against taking sides, harassing voters, or colluding with political actors, stating that those found culpable would be investigated and punished. He stressed that the safety of vulnerable groups, including women, the elderly, and persons with disabilities, is central to the Force's strategy.

A polling unit where these citizens feel unsafe is a polling unit where the election has already failed.

— Olatunji Disu, Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force

Operational Scorecard and National Security

During the retreat, the IGP presented the operational scorecard of the Force since he assumed office in February. He revealed that 1,643 suspects have been arrested and 1,066 kidnap victims rescued. The arrests include 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects, and 483 suspected cultists. Furthermore, the police recovered 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition.

While acknowledging these achievements, Disu noted that statistics offer little comfort to families still affected by communal violence and kidnapping. He pledged that the Force would continue to combat these threats while simultaneously preparing for the 2027 polls.

Numbers do not console a grieving family. We will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming. We will fight them and secure the elections at the same time.

— Olatunji Disu, Inspector General of Police, Nigeria Police Force

The IGP has set October 12 as the deadline for the completion of the election-security framework and the establishment of a dedicated taskforce to ensure the roadmap translates into concrete action.