The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police officers assigned to election security duties ahead of the 2027 general elections and ordered an intensified crackdown on banditry across the country.
Disu announced the directives on Wednesday during the monthly conference with senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. He also ordered the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks.
The IGP directed Commissioners of Police in affected states to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters within 72 hours. He also instructed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional resources and intensify intelligence-led operations.
To strengthen security, Disu called for greater collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups, noting that local intelligence would help security agencies identify and track criminal groups.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, the police chief ordered all Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the electoral process is concluded. He said any movement outside their areas of responsibility must receive approval from Force Headquarters.
He also directed police commands to inspect their election security equipment, communication facilities and protective gear, while establishing direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
Disu warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to manipulate the electoral process, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights. He assured that the police would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to all political parties, candidates, supporters and eligible voters.
The IGP further disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 murder and culpable homicide suspects, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference. The Force also rescued 95 kidnap victims and recovered 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles.
He also ordered the immediate clearance of outstanding death benefits owed to families of officers killed in the line of
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