The Federal Government has pledged continued support for the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen its operational capacity and ensure effective security for the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu made the pledge in an address delivered on his behalf by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, who represented him at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, in Owerri, Imo State, on Monday.
Tinubu said the conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” was timely as the country prepares for the 2027 general elections.
He said the security of the electoral process was not limited to protecting polling units, ballot papers and other election materials, but also involved protecting citizens and electoral officials, preventing violence and creating a peaceful environment for political parties and candidates.
The President assured the police of the Federal Government’s support, saying the 2027 elections would require “careful preparation, professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and close coordination among all security and electoral stakeholders.”
He said the FG would continue to support measures aimed at improving police welfare, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, operational logistics and institutional effectiveness.
Tinubu commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the leadership of the Force for their efforts in tackling kidnapping, armed robbery, terrorism, banditry, cultism and other forms of criminality across the country.
He also acknowledged the sacrifices of police officers, including those who had lost their lives in the line of duty, stressing that more needed to be done to meet Nigerians’ expectations on security.
The President urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times, deepen community engagement, embrace technology and enhance inter-agency cooperation in tackling emerging security threats.
On the 2027 elections, Tinubu charged the police to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality.
“The police must be seen not as an instrument of any political interest, but as a national institution serving the Nigerian people and protecting the constitutional order,” he said.
He urged the senior police officers attending the retreat to ensure that the roadmap developed at the conference translated into practical measures capable of strengthening election security, improving operational preparedness and deepening public confidence.
Tinubu further called for the development of a modern, professional, technology-enabled, intelligence-driven and citizen-centred police service capable of responding effectively to the country’s evolving security challenges.
He assured officers that the FG recognised their sacrifices and remained committed to supporting them, while urging them to discharge their duties with courage, integrity, discipline and professionalism.
