President Bola Tinubu has tasked Nigeria’s senior police officers with developing a practical security roadmap capable of protecting voters, candidates and electoral officials before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
Tinubu gave the directive on Monday at the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) in Owerri, Imo State, where he also stressed the need for the Nigeria Police Force to remain professional and impartial in handling electoral matters.
The President, who was represented at the event by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume, said the police must operate as a national institution and not as an instrument for advancing political interests.
According to Tinubu, public confidence in the electoral process would depend largely on the neutrality, professionalism and accountability of security personnel deployed for the elections.
He said election security should extend beyond the protection of polling units and election materials to include peaceful campaigns, the protection of voters and electoral officials, prevention of intimidation and ensuring that citizens can participate without fear.
The three-day CARSPO 2026, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” is bringing together senior police officers, security experts and other stakeholders to examine emerging electoral security challenges.
The Nigeria Police Force said discussions at the conference would focus on intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies, artificial intelligence and improved inter-agency coordination.
Tinubu also pledged continued government support for police reforms, including investment in personnel, training, technology, intelligence infrastructure, logistics, welfare and institutional systems.
He urged the Force to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve response times and deepen engagement with communities as security threats become increasingly sophisticated.
The President commended Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, and the Police Management Team for their efforts to reposition the Force, while acknowledging officers involved in combating kidnapping, terrorism, banditry, armed robbery, cultism and other violent crimes.
Tinubu further urged police officers to uphold discipline, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights, stressing that government support must be matched by integrity and professionalism.
The retreat is expected to produce an actionable framework for election security as preparations for the 2027 polls intensify. The IGP has also charged senior officers to begin preparations early and place professionalism, intelligence and accountability at the centre of electoral security.
