President Bola Ahmed Tinubu has reaffirmed the Federal Government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure peaceful, secure and credible conduct of the 2027 General Elections.
Tinubu gave the assurance on Monday, September 21, 2026, while declaring open the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State.
Represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, the President said the conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” was timely in view of the security challenges associated with elections.
He stressed the need for professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led policing and effective coordination among security agencies during the electoral process.
Tinubu also assured the police of continued Federal Government support in the areas of training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms.
Welcoming participants to the conference, Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, expressed delight at hosting CARSPO for the fourth time.
Uzodimma commended the NPF for sustaining the platform as a means of strategic engagement and developing solutions to contemporary security challenges.
In his address, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, outlined six pillars that would guide the Force’s roadmap for election security ahead of the 2027 polls.
They include strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.
Disu said the Police must invest in peace by strengthening professionalism, building public trust and taking proactive measures to prevent violence before it occurs.
He noted that the opening of the conference coincided with the International Day of Peace, observed in 2026 under the theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day.”
The IGP directed Commissioners of Police to identify and map potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats in their respective commands.
He also charged them to strengthen early-warning mechanisms and community-based intelligence ahead of the 2027 elections.
Disu announced that the Nigeria Police Force would release an official public election complaints line on October 12, 2026, to enable members of the public to report election-related concerns ahead of the polls.
Reaffirming the neutrality of the Force, the IGP warned against political violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other electoral offences.
He said any police officer found taking sides, harassing voters, colluding with political actors or abusing police powers would be held accountable.
The opening ceremony was attended by Governor Uzodimma and members of the Imo State Executive Council.
The President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, was represented by Senator Patrick Ndubueze, while the Chairman of the House Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Dr Abubakar Makki Yalleman, was represented by Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu.
The Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, was represented by Mrs Adigwe A. Nwamaka.
