The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned individuals and political actors against engaging in electoral violence, thuggery, ballot-box snatching, hate speech and other activities capable of disrupting the 2027 general elections.
Disu gave the warning during the flag-off of the Election Security Training for the 2027 General Elections, where he assured Nigerians that the police and other security agencies were better prepared and coordinated to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process.
The police chief cautioned those planning to undermine the elections to desist from such actions, stressing that anyone found engaging in electoral offences would be arrested and prosecuted without fear or favour.
He further disclosed that the police would collaborate with the justice sector to ensure that electoral offenders do not escape justice, noting that efforts would go beyond arrests to securing prosecutions.
Disu also warned against vote-buying and vote-selling, describing both practices as criminal offences rather than harmless political traditions.
“To those who may be contemplating violence, thuggery, ballot-box snatching or the incitement of hatred, I have a simple message: do not try it. We are better prepared, better coordinated and more determined than before,” he said.
He reiterated that security agencies would not tolerate attempts to disrupt the electoral process, adding that perpetrators would face the full weight of the law.
