The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cautioned police officers against engaging in partisan political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections, insisting that the Nigeria Police Force must remain neutral and uphold the Constitution.
Disu issued the warning on Wednesday while addressing senior police officers, including Deputy Inspectors-General of Police, zonal Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police, at the monthly meeting of the Goodluck Ebele Peacekeeping Centre.
He said the police must guarantee a safe and secure environment for all participants in the electoral process, regardless of their political affiliations, warning that officers who use their positions to promote the interests of politicians or political parties would be sanctioned.
The police chief specifically warned against collusion with political actors, facilitation of thuggery, compromise of the electoral process and actions capable of infringing on the rights of voters.
“As we approach another important electoral period, I wish to emphasise that it is our responsibility to guarantee a safe and secure environment for all electoral participants, irrespective of their political affiliation. Every candidate, political party, supporter and eligible voter is entitled to equal protection under the law,” he said.
Disu directed Commissioners of Police across the country to begin comprehensive preparations for election security in their respective jurisdictions.
As part of the measures, he ordered the immediate suspension of leave for personnel assigned to election security duties, directing commissioners and other senior officers to remain within their commands until the electoral process is concluded.
He added that any officer seeking to travel outside his or her command must obtain express approval from Force Headquarters.
The IGP also instructed police commands to inspect their election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports on their level of preparedness expected at the end of the week.
He further directed commissioners to establish effective coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps in their respective states.
According to him, the police would remain the lead agency responsible for election security and must ensure effective collaboration with other security institutions.
To strengthen operational monitoring, Disu ordered all commands to submit daily situation reports to Force Headquarters throughout the electoral period. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations is to coordinate the reports and brief him every morning.
He stressed the need for adequate training, supervision and equipment for personnel, disclosing that the Force had commenced election security training programmes, including a recent nationwide exercise facilitated by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund.
“The Nigeria Police Force is not a tool for any politician, any party or any interest. If you allow yourself to be used, you will face the consequences alone,” he warned.
On the security situation across the country, Disu disclosed that police operations since the last conference had resulted in the arrest of 218 suspects linked to banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists.
He said the operations also led to the rescue of 95 kidnapped victims and the recovery of 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles.
Despite the achievements, the IGP acknowledged the persistence of bandit attacks in some parts of the country, noting that affected communities continued to face threats to their safety and livelihoods.
He consequently directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours.
He also ordered the intensification of intelligence-driven operations and directed all commands to maintain standing operational plans for high-risk locations.
Disu urged police authorities to strengthen community-based intelligence gathering through regular engagement with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters' associations and local vigilante groups.
He further directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the immediate deployment of additional personnel, operational vehicles and air support to the worst-affected areas, in consultation with the relevant commands.
Addressing issues of accountability, the police chief warned officers against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority, unlawful use of force and other forms of professional misconduct.
He directed every command to establish accessible and widely publicised complaints response mechanisms, insisting that allegations of misconduct must be properly documented, investigated and resolved within stipulated timelines.
The IGP also called on senior officers to maintain regular and transparent communication with journalists, particularly during the election period, when misinformation and fake news could undermine public confidence.
On personnel welfare, Disu urged Commissioners of Police to pay greater attention to the physical and psychological well-being of officers, especially those working under difficult operational conditions.
He disclosed that a welfare audit would be conducted across police commands to identify unpaid entitlements, accommodation deficiencies and other pressing concerns, directing that the findings be submitted to his office within 30 days.
The police chief also commended officers whose courage and professionalism had contributed to the Force's operational achievements, while paying tribute to personnel who had lost their lives in the line of duty since the last conference.
He described their sacrifices as fundamental to the successes recorded by the Force and disclosed that he had ordered the immediate settlement of outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to their families.
He further directed Commissioners of Police to personally verify the status of pending cases involving families of deceased officers.
While appreciating President Bola Tinubu for his continued support for the police, Disu urged senior officers to return to their respective commands with renewed commitment, stronger supervision and determination to deliver measurable results.
He said the Force must ensure that polling units opened as scheduled, eligible voters were able to exercise their franchise and communities facing security threats received adequate protection.
He reiterated that every police officer must perform his or her duties with honour, professionalism and respect for the law.
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