Senior police officers conference: IGP Disu sets 6-pillar framework for 2027 election security

President Bola Tinubu, Monday, declared open the 6th Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo state, reaffirming the federal government’s commitment to supporting the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) towards peaceful and secure 2027 general elections.

Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anietie Iniedu, in a press statement in Owerri, said President Tinubu, who was represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation (SGF), Senator George Akume,  described the conference, themed: ‘Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections”, as timely, stressing the need for professionalism, impartiality, intelligence-led operations and effective inter-agency coordination.

This is as the president assured the NPF of continued federal government support in training, technology, operational logistics, welfare and institutional reforms.

Welcoming participants, the Governor of Imo state, Senator Hope Uzodimma, expressed delight at hosting the Conference for the 4th time, juat as he commended the NPF for sustaining the platform for strategic engagement and the development of solutions to contemporary security challenges.

He said addressing the conference, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, outlined six pillars to guide the NPF election-security roadmap as strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and deployment of technology; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.

The IGP, who noted that the opening ceremony coincided with the International Day of Peace, observed under the 2026 theme, “Invest in Peace: For Everyone, Everywhere, Every Day,” stressed that for the Nigeria Police, investing in peace required professionalism, public trust and proactive measures to prevent violence before it occured.

As part of the conference deliberations, Commissioners of Police (CPs) were expected to identify and map potential electoral flashpoints, criminal networks and other emerging threats within their respective Commands, while strengthening early-warning systems and community-based intelligence ahead of the elections. The IGP also announced that the NPF would, on October 12, 2026, release an official public election complaints line ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Reaffirming the neutrality of the Force, the IGP warned against political violence, voter intimidation, vote-buying and other electoral offences, even as he vowed that any Police officer found taking sides, harassing voters, colluding with political actors or abusing Police powers would be held accountable.

The opening ceremony was attended by the President of the Senate, Senator Godswill Akpabio, who was represented by Senator Patrick Ndubueze; Chairman, House of Representives Committee on Police Affairs, Hon. Dr Abubakar Makki Yalleman, represented by Hon. Dibiagwu Eugene Okechukwu; and the Minister of Interior, Dr Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, represented by Mrs Adigwe A. Nwamaka, and some members of the Imo State Executive Council, who accompanied the governor.

Also present were the Chief of Defence Staff, General Olufemi Olatubosun Oluyede, represented by Major General O.A. Fadairo; Chief of Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, represented by Rear Admiral S.D. Ibrahim; Chief of Defence Intelligence, Lieutenant General Emmanuel Akomaye Parker Undiandeye, represented by Major General K.N. Nwoko; Comptroller-General of Customs, Bashir Adewale Adeniyi, MFR, represented by ACG P.C. Chibuoke; Controller-General of the Nigerian Correctional Service, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, represented by CC Ngozi Alice Okereke; and Chairman of the Police Service Commission (PSC), DIG Hashimu Argungu (retd.) represented by DIG Taiwo F. Lakanu (retd.).

Former Inspectors-General of Police, IGP Mike Okiro (retd.);  IGP Usman Alkali Baba (rtd.); as well as the Chairman of the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), Alhaji Mogaji Olaniyan, and other PCRC members were also in attendance.