In a proactive move to ensure a hitch-free 2027 general elections, the Nigeria Police Force has commenced a comprehensive nationwide training programme for no fewer than 10,000 officers on election security management and professional conduct during polls.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, who declared the training open in Abuja, charged the personnel to uphold the principles of neutrality, professionalism and accountability throughout the electoral process.
According to the police boss, the integrity of the 2027 elections will largely depend on the conduct of security operatives deployed to the field, hence the need for early preparation and retraining.
The five-day intensive capacity building workshop, which is being organised in partnership with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, kicked off yesterday at the Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
The programme is designed to equip officers with modern techniques and global best practices in election security operations, crowd management and conflict de-escalation.
Participants at the training will be taken through critical modules including crowd control, conflict prevention and resolution, respect for human rights, intelligence gathering and effective response to election-related emergencies.
Other areas of focus include inter-agency collaboration, use of minimal force, protection of electoral materials and officials, as well as management of political rallies and campaign grounds.
Declaring the workshop open, IGP Disu said the Force under his leadership will not tolerate any act of partisanship or unprofessional conduct from officers deployed for election duties.
He warned that any officer found compromising the neutrality of the Force, either by taking sides with political parties or aiding electoral malpractice, will be severely sanctioned.
The IGP stressed that the era where policemen look the other way while politicians perpetrate violence and intimidation is gone, noting that the Force is determined to redeem its image.
He also vowed to deal decisively with all forms of electoral offences, listing political thuggery, voter intimidation, ballot box snatching, vote-buying and destruction of campaign materials as crimes that will attract instant arrest.
Disu explained that the decision to train 10,000 officers across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory was to create a critical mass of election security experts who will in turn train others at the state and divisional levels.
He added that the training is coming almost one year ahead of the general elections to allow for proper planning, simulation exercises and after-action reviews before the actual polls.
The police chief further announced that the Force Headquarters will soon unveil a dedicated 24-hour complaints and distress line where members of the public can report misconduct by policemen on election duty.
According to him, the hotline will be manned by senior officers at the Force Headquarters and will guarantee swift response to complaints, with a view to holding erring personnel accountable.
He urged political parties, their candidates and supporters to play by the rules and conduct their campaigns in a peaceful, issue-based and lawful manner.
Disu also called on politicians to caution their followers against provocative utterances, hate speech and actions capable of inciting violence before, during and after the elections.
The IGP appealed to the media and civil society organisations to be partners in progress by verifying information before publication and avoiding sensational reports that could overheat the polity.
He said the police will continue to work closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, the Nigerian Army, Department of State Services and other security agencies to ensure a secure environment for the polls.
In his remarks, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, who co-sponsored the training, said the Fund is committed to improving the operational capacity of the Force through continuous training and provision of modern equipment.
He said the Trust Fund considers election security as a critical national assignment and will not relent in supporting the police with the needed resources to deliver on its mandate.
Also speaking, a representative of one of the facilitators said the training will adopt a practical approach, including scenario-based exercises and case studies from previous elections in Nigeria and other African countries.
Some of the officers undergoing the training who spoke with our correspondent expressed optimism that the knowledge gained will help them discharge their duties more professionally during the elections.
They promised to put the lessons into practice and serve as worthy ambassadors of the Force during the 2027 general elections.
Meanwhile, security analysts have commended the early preparation by the police, describing it as a step in the right direction that will boost public confidence in the electoral process.
They however urged the Force to ensure that the training is not just a jamboree but is translated into concrete action on the field when the elections eventually come.
