The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned politicians and their supporters against hiring thugs, buying votes, moving arms or threatening voters and electoral officials ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The IGP gave the warning on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State.
According to him, the Nigeria Police Force would take action against anyone involved in electoral offences, irrespective of their 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,” Disu said.
The warning comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.
Disu said the responsibility of securing the elections would require preparation throughout the electoral cycle rather than only on election day.
“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,” he said.
“We must prepare before the crisis, not during it.”
The IGP also directed senior police officers to ensure that the Force remained neutral during the elections.
“Sixth, we must stay neutral. We protect citizens and enforce the law. We do not decide political outcomes. We will be firm against violence, but always within the law,” he said.
He warned that police officers who become involved in partisan activities or abuse their powers would also face disciplinary action.
“Any officer who takes sides, harasses voters, colludes with political actors or abuses power during these elections will be investigated and punished,” Disu said.
He further directed police commanders to strengthen intelligence gathering, training, communication and cooperation with other security and electoral agencies ahead of the polls.
He said police officers would receive training in crowd management, protection of electoral personnel and materials, conflict prevention, rapid response and human-rights-compliant policing.
Disu also said the Force would work to protect voters who could be more vulnerable to intimidation, including women, elderly people and persons with disabilities.
“A polling unit where these citizens feel unsafe is a polling unit where the election has already failed,” he said.
The IGP urged police officers to remain proactive and accountable throughout the electoral process.
“Be proactive. Be present. Be accessible. Be accountable,” he told the senior officers.
He concluded by giving officers four words to guide their conduct ahead of the elections: “Neutral. Prepared. Present. Accountable.”
