The Nigeria Police Force has commenced a training programme for 10,000 officers on election security management ahead of the 2027 general elections, as authorities seek to strengthen preparedness for the nationwide electoral exercise.
The five-day programme, organised in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Trust Fund (NPTF), was formally opened on Thursday, October 22, 2026, at the Nigeria Police Resource Centre in Jabi, Abuja. Training is being conducted across designated centres, with the first phase covering officers from 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory.
The programme focuses on election security management, crowd control, conflict prevention, rules of engagement, human rights, intelligence gathering and lawful responses to election-related incidents. It is designed to establish consistent operational standards for officers who may be deployed during the elections.
Speaking at the ceremony, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Mohammed Sheidu, said the initiative reflected the fund’s commitment to improving police operational capacity and preparedness.
He noted that credible elections depended not only on the work of the Independent National Electoral Commission but also on the ability of security agencies to maintain a safe environment in which voters could exercise their democratic rights.
Sheidu identified professional training, adequate equipment and operational mobility as important requirements for effective election security. He said officers needed to be prepared to perform their duties responsibly and respond appropriately to challenges that might arise during the electoral process.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, also stressed the need for neutrality, professionalism and accountability among personnel assigned to election duties. He said officers must make sound decisions under pressure and operate within the law, particularly in situations involving tension, provocation or misinformation.
Disu emphasised that election security required cooperation among relevant institutions. No single agency, he noted, could independently manage every security challenge associated with an election of national significance.
The Chairman of INEC, Professor Joash Ojo Amupitan, was represented at the event by a national commissioner, Rear Admiral Sadiq Malaja (retd.), according to separate coverage of the ceremony. The commission’s representative stressed the importance of security in protecting public trust and enabling citizens to participate in elections without fear or intimidation.
The training comes as preparations continue for the 2027 general elections. Its effectiveness will depend on how well officers apply the lessons during deployment, particularly in preventing violence, protecting voters and electoral officials, and responding lawfully to incidents.
The police and the NPTF say the programme is intended to improve readiness and support a secure environment for the electoral process.
Deborah Adeyefa
