RismadarVoice Reporters
September 11, 2026
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has assured Nigerians that the 2027 general elections will be conducted in a safe and secure environment despite the country’s worsening insecurity.
Disu, who spoke in an interview with AFP, said the Nigeria Police Force was training its personnel and working with other security agencies to ensure voters are protected during the polls.
“We will have safe and secure voting in the country,” the police chief said, adding that officers were undergoing training to strengthen the force’s capacity ahead of the elections.
He also dismissed concerns over voting in parts of northern Nigeria affected by insurgency, banditry and kidnapping, saying citizens in those areas would be able to exercise their franchise.
The IGP said the police were collaborating with the military and other security agencies to restore peace across the country.
Nigeria is expected to hold its next general elections in 2027, with President Bola Tinubu seeking a second term. Previous elections have been marred by violence, intimidation and clashes linked to political and ethnic tensions.
Disu also expressed support for the proposed establishment of state police, saying the Nigeria Police Force had contributed to developing the framework for the reform.
The proposal, which would require a constitutional amendment, seeks to allow Nigeria’s 36 states to operate their own police forces.
Supporters argue that state-controlled police would respond more quickly to local security threats and have better knowledge of their communities. Critics, however, fear state governors could abuse the system to target political opponents.
Disu said the federal police would retain an oversight role, while training and operational standards would be harmonised nationally.
The police chief said efforts were also underway to increase the strength of the federal police from just under 300,000 personnel to about 350,000, following a directive from the Presidency.
He said the force was also investing in technology, including drone surveillance and artificial intelligence, to improve security operations.
According to him, 25 officers are currently undergoing specialised training as part of a drone team, while AI-assisted data analysis is being used to identify patterns and anticipate criminal activities.
Despite concerns over public trust and allegations of corruption within the police, Disu maintained that officers were working under difficult conditions and losing their lives in the line of duty.
“We are losing officers daily,” he said.
