By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has assured the United Nations of the Nigeria Police Force’s preparedness to provide adequate security for the 2027 general elections, with particular attention to vulnerable voters, including internally displaced persons (IDPs) and persons with disabilities.
Disu gave the assurance on Tuesday while receiving a delegation led by the Special Representative of the United Nations Secretary-General and Head of the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), Mr Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
According to an official statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the meeting focused on the Police’s preparations for the 2027 elections and measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and inclusive electoral process.
During the engagement, Simão highlighted the need to prevent political competition from degenerating into violence, stressing the importance of maintaining public confidence in the neutrality and impartiality of the Police.
He also sought updates on lessons learnt from previous elections and measures being put in place to protect vulnerable voters, particularly internally displaced persons.
Responding, Disu said experiences from previous general and off-cycle elections were shaping the Force’s operational strategies, personnel training and security arrangements ahead of the 2027 polls.
The IGP disclosed that the Police were conducting training programmes for their personnel and officers of other security agencies to improve inter-agency coordination, strengthen election-security management and address the specific needs of persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups.
He further revealed that threat assessments were ongoing across Police formations to identify potential security risks, guide personnel deployment and facilitate targeted operations in vulnerable areas.
Disu added that the Force was working with other security agencies to address emerging threats, particularly in locations hosting internally displaced persons, to ensure they could exercise their electoral rights without intimidation or security concerns.
On electoral logistics, the police chief highlighted ongoing collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the timely and secure distribution of sensitive and non-sensitive election materials.
He noted that the combination of personnel training, threat assessments, inter-agency cooperation and engagement with electoral stakeholders remained central to the Police’s preparations for the forthcoming elections.
The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professional and impartial policing, assuring that it would sustain collaboration with relevant stakeholders to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to participate freely in the 2027 electoral process.
