The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to provide security for the 2027 general elections.
Disu gave the assurance on Wednesday in Abuja while receiving a delegation from the United Nations, led by the Special Representative of the Secretary-General for West Africa and the Sahel, Dr Leonardo Simao.
“So far so good, we are not afraid. We are confident that even if the elections start tomorrow, the Nigeria Police Force is ready to do what is expected of it.
“Nigerians will not be disappointed with the activities of the Nigeria Police Force in the election,” he said.
The police chief said officers had undergone training and received updated knowledge on issues peculiar to election security.
He added that the Force had also conducted joint training sessions and held collaborative meetings with other security agencies, including the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Customs Service (NCS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and Department of State Services (DSS).
Disu acknowledged that the police could not secure the elections alone, stressing the importance of cooperation among security agencies.
“The Nigeria Police Force is in charge of internal security of the country and the elections, but we know that we cannot do it alone. We can only succeed with the assistance of our sister security agencies,” he said.
He further disclosed that the training covered the inclusion of all voters, particularly persons with disabilities, with officers instructed on how to identify and assist them during the electoral process.
Simao, in his remarks, said intense political competition could trigger violence if not properly managed.
“It is important, therefore, that all measures are taken to ensure that elections continue to be a political competition and not a danger to peace and stability of the country,” he said.
He noted that the police had a special responsibility to maintain peace and stability and sought clarification from Disu on the country’s level of preparedness and the Force’s role in securing the elections.
