- The Nigeria Police Force and INEC met in Abuja to discuss security preparations for upcoming elections.
- IGP Olatunji Disu said the police had begun intelligence mapping and operational planning to prevent election violence
- INEC called for stronger protection for Internally Displaced Persons and Persons Living with Disabilities during elections
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Joash Amupitan, on Wednesday held a high-level meeting in Abuja aimed at strengthening security preparations ahead of upcoming elections across the country.
The strategic meeting, held at the Force Headquarters, brought together members of the Force Management Team and senior officials of INEC to discuss plans for ensuring peaceful and credible elections amid prevailing security concerns nationwide.
Among those present at the meeting were National Commissioner for the North-Central Region, Sanni Muhammed; National Commissioner for the North-East Region, Jamila Abubakar Malafa; National Commissioner for the North-East Region, Baba Bila; National Commissioner for the South-South Region, Rhoda Gumus; and National Commissioner for the South-West Region, Kunle Ajayi.
Discussions during the meeting focused on security arrangements for the forthcoming electoral cycle, including the Ekiti and Osun off-cycle governorship elections, upcoming bye-elections and the 2027 General Elections.
Speaking during the meeting, Professor Amupitan stressed the importance of proactive security measures and specialised training for personnel involved in election duties.
He called for the creation of a secure environment that would enable Internally Displaced Persons and Persons Living with Disabilities to exercise their voting rights freely and safely.
According to him, electoral security remains a critical factor in strengthening Nigeria’s democratic process and boosting public confidence in elections.
Responding, IGP Disu described the visit as timely and significant to the country’s democratic stability.
The police chief disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force had already commenced several strategic initiatives designed to tackle election-related threats and ensure public safety during the polls.
According to him, the measures include precision intelligence mapping to counter political violence, cult-related activities and voter intimidation, as well as comprehensive operational planning for the secure transportation of election materials and personnel.
He further revealed that the Force was coordinating closely with other security agencies to ensure a unified operational approach while also intensifying efforts to combat misinformation capable of undermining the electoral process.
The IGP assured the INEC delegation that officers assigned to election duties would operate strictly within the provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the Electoral Act.
He added that officers were currently undergoing extensive training on election rules of engagement and the protection of human rights.
Disu reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force maintained a zero-tolerance policy towards professional misconduct and warned that any officer found compromising the integrity of the electoral process would face disciplinary action in accordance with the law.
In his concluding remarks, the IGP reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to ensuring safe, peaceful and credible elections across the country.
He also pledged the full support of the Nigeria Police Force to INEC while calling for stronger collaboration among electoral stakeholders to guarantee a successful democratic process.