The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned politicians and their supporters against employing thugs, buying votes, moving arms or intimidating voters ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disu issued the warning on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, in Owerri, Imo State.
He said the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral and enforce the law against anyone who attempts to undermine the electoral process, regardless of political status.
“To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs. Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The Police will act against anyone who does, whatever their status,” the IGP said.
Disu said the police had commenced preparations for the 2027 elections, stressing that election security must cover the entire electoral cycle, from intelligence gathering and planning to training, deployment and rapid response.
He said, “Our duty does not begin on election day. It covers the whole electoral cycle: intelligence, planning, training, protecting INEC staff and materials, preventing violence and responding fast.”
The IGP disclosed that since he assumed office in February 2026, police operatives had arrested 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists.
He added that 1,066 kidnapped victims had been rescued, while 947 firearms and more than 22,000 rounds of ammunition were recovered during various operations.
Disu, however, acknowledged that kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence remained major security challenges, noting that the Force would continue tackling them alongside its preparations for the elections.
He identified intelligence and early warning, intensive training, joint command, effective communication, community partnership and neutrality as the six key areas of the Force’s election-security roadmap.
The IGP also warned against the spread of fake election results, forged police statements and inflammatory videos, saying the police would work to counter disinformation capable of triggering violence.
He urged traditional and religious leaders, youths, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public to support security agencies by providing timely information on emerging threats.
Disu directed Commissioners of Police to strengthen supervision, maintain effective communication with their commands and make official contact numbers available to the public.
He also warned police officers against taking sides, harassing voters, colluding with political actors or abusing their powers during the elections.
“Force must be a last resort, lawful and proportionate,” he said.
The IGP charged senior police officers to remain proactive, present, accessible and accountable, stressing that the outcome of CARSPO 2026 must translate into a practical framework for securing the elections before, during and after the polls.
He concluded by reminding officers of four principles to guide their conduct during the electoral period: “Neutral. Prepared. Present. Accountable.”
