The five-day programme focuses on crowd control, conflict prevention, human rights and professional conduct, as the police warn officers against political bias and electoral misconduct.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has commenced the training of 10,000 personnel nationwide on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The five-day training programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally inaugurated on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, charged officers to maintain neutrality, professionalism and accountability in the discharge of their election-related duties.
The training is being conducted across designated centres, with the first phase covering personnel in 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory. It is designed to establish uniform operational standards and strengthen the capacity of officers ahead of their deployment for the elections.
The programme covers election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents.
Disu described security as a critical foundation for credible elections, stressing that officers assigned to electoral duties must protect voters, electoral officials and the integrity of the electoral process without fear or favour.
He warned that any personnel found compromising the neutrality of the police would be held accountable, directing commands to strengthen intelligence gathering, operational planning and inter-agency collaboration.
The IGP particularly emphasised the need for enhanced security coordination in areas affected by terrorism, banditry, kidnapping and communal violence.
He also cautioned against political violence, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching, vote-buying and other electoral offences, warning that perpetrators would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
To strengthen public accountability, Disu announced plans to establish a dedicated 24-hour complaints line through which members of the public could report misconduct by police personnel deployed for election duties.
He further urged political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct peaceful campaigns, while calling on the media and civil society organisations to verify information before disseminating it.
Speaking at the event, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, reaffirmed the fund’s commitment to improving police preparedness through training, operational equipment and mobility support.
Sheidu said the initiative was aimed at developing disciplined, impartial and responsive officers capable of managing election-related security challenges professionally.
The ceremony was attended by representatives of key security and public institutions, including Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (rtd.), representing the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission; Afam O. Okeke, General Secretary of the Nigerian Bar Association; and Brigadier General J.A. Ifeanyi, representing the Chief of Army Staff.
Others included Group Captain Yakubu Yusuf, representing the Chief of Air Staff; Deputy Controller-General of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Zakari Ibrahim, representing the Commandant-General; members of the Force Management Team; and other senior police officers.
The Nigeria Police Force said it would sustain its investment in personnel training, intelligence-led planning, inter-agency cooperation and professional policing to ensure a safe environment for Nigerians to exercise their electoral rights during the 2027 general elections.
