As the 2027 general election approaches, the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has told the policemen and women that their responsibility to the nation has become more important and cannot be ignored.
Disu said that the trust in the election process, the strength of the country’s democracy and the belief of Nigerians will mostly rely on how the Nigeria Police Force handles election security as the main agency responsible.
The IGP gave the warning at the first conference for strategic police leaders, which took place at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday.
He stressed that the Police must strictly follow the law, make fair decisions, act with professionalism, and remain completely neutral during all election-related activities.
The new police chief said, “We will make sure the election process is safe and secure before, during, and after the elections. We will also protect democratic institutions, the people working in elections, voters, and important infrastructure.
“Our goal is to ensure that every Nigerian can exercise their rights as citizens freely, peacefully, and without feeling scared or threatened.
“Crowd management and maintaining public order will be done carefully, fairly, and in a way that follows human rights and the law closely. When force is needed, it must always be used in a way that is allowed by law, not too much, and properly checked.
“We will work closely with the Armed Forces, other security agencies, and the intelligence community to create a smooth and unified system for securing the election. The Nigeria Police Force will continue to take the lead, clearly handling command and responsibility.
“I want to be very clear: there will be no tolerance for partisanship, misconduct, or abuse of authority. If an officer is found to have lost their neutrality, broken election laws, or acted beyond the approved rules, they will face quick and firm consequences. This may include legal action if needed. There will be no exceptions and no excuses.”
Ahead of the 2027 general election, the newly appointed Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu has told the policemen and women that there responsibility to the nation becomes both heightened and non-
negotiable.
Disu pointed out that the credibility of the electoral process, the stability of the country’s democracy, and the confidence of the Nigerians will depend largely on the conduct of the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency in election security management.
The IGP spoke at the inaugural conference with strategic police managers held at the Peacekeeping Conference Centre in Abuja on Wednesday, insisting the Police must be firm in enforcing the law, impartial in its decisions, professional in its conduct, and strictly neutral in all electoral engagements.
“We will secure the clectoral process before, during, and after the elections; protect democratic institutions, electoral officials, voters, and
critical infrastructure; and ensure that every Nigerian can exercise their civic rights freely, peacefully, and without fear or intimidation,” the new police boss said.
“Crowd management and public order duties will b e
carried out with restraint, proportionality, and strict
adherence t o human rights and the rule of law. The use of force, where unavoidable, must always b e lawful, measured, and accountable.
“While we will work in close coordination with the Armed Forces, sister security agencies, and the
intelligence community t o deliver a seamless and unified election security framework, the Nigeria Police Force will retain and discharge its leadership role with clarity of command and responsibility.
“Let me state without ambiguity: there will be zero
tolerance for partisanship, misconduct, o r abuse of authority. Any officer found to have compromised neutrality, violated electoral laws, or acted outside approved rules of engagement will face swift and decisive disciplinary action, including
prosecution where applicable. There will b e no exceptions and no excuses.”
