Jane Salihu
The Nigeria Police Force says its security preparations for the 2027 general elections will give special attention to internally displaced persons (IDPs), persons with disabilities and other vulnerable groups to ensure their participation in the electoral process.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement following a meeting between the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and a delegation from the United Nations Office for West Africa and the Sahel (UNOWAS), led by its Special Representative of the UN Secretary-General, Mr Leonardo Santos Simão, at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.
According to the statement, the engagement focused on the Police Force’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections, particularly measures to guarantee a peaceful, secure and inclusive electoral process.
Speaking during the meeting, Simão said the visit provided an opportunity to assess the Force’s preparations against the backdrop of security challenges across West Africa and the Sahel.
He stressed the need to prevent political competition from degenerating into violence while maintaining public confidence in the neutrality and professionalism of the Police.
The UN representative 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 elections, including off-cycle polls, were guiding the Force’s operational planning and training programmes ahead of the 2027 general elections.
He explained that the Police were conducting training 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.
The IGP further disclosed that threat assessments were ongoing across Police formations to identify potential security risks, guide deployments and facilitate targeted operations in vulnerable areas.
He added that the Force was collaborating with other security agencies to address emerging threats, particularly in areas hosting internally displaced persons, to ensure they could exercise their voting rights in a secure environment.
On electoral logistics, Disu highlighted the Police partnership with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to facilitate the timely and secure distribution of electoral materials.
He noted that the collaboration, alongside joint training and improved coordination among security agencies, formed part of broader efforts to strengthen the Force’s readiness for election-related security responsibilities.
The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to professional and impartial policing, sustained cooperation with relevant security agencies and engagement with stakeholders to provide a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights..
