Police, Security Experts Train Officers Ahead of 2027 Elections
9/1/20262 min read
The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, in collaboration with the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research (IPSPR), on Monday, August 31, 2026, held a one-day training programme aimed at strengthening election security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The programme, themed “Professionalism, Neutrality and Collaboration: Strengthening Election Security for Safe and Credible Elections,” brought together senior police officers and representatives of other security agencies to deliberate on strategies for ensuring safe, peaceful and credible elections.
The training focused on strengthening Nigeria’s election security architecture, with particular emphasis on professionalism, neutrality, inter-agency collaboration, effective communication and adherence to the legal framework governing elections.
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, formally declared the training open. He was represented at the event by Prof. Olu Ogunsakin.
In his welcome message, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, outlined the vision and objectives of the training, stressing the importance of effective security coordination in creating an environment conducive to free and credible elections.
The Director-General of the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research, Dr. Charles Omole, in his welcome address, said election security was fundamental to the survival of democracy.
Omole said: “A ballot without a shield is a wish without a guarantee. Security is the oxygen of democracy.”
He noted that when elections become unsafe, citizens could be forced to choose between exercising their constitutional right to vote and protecting their personal safety.
According to him, election security should not be viewed solely as a policing responsibility but as a democratic imperative requiring the collective efforts of security agencies, electoral authorities, government institutions and other stakeholders.
He said the training was designed to build the capacity of senior police officers and personnel from other security agencies to manage election security professionally, constitutionally and effectively.
One of the resource persons, Barrister Bernard Oniga, delivered a lecture on the electoral security context, legal framework and the mandate of the police under the Electoral Act 2026.
A retired Commissioner of Police, Emmanuel Ojukwu, also lectured participants on inter-agency coordination and communication skills required for effective operational security during the election period.
Goodwill messages were delivered by representatives of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Lagos State Government, traditional institutions and other stakeholders.
The Commissioners of Police in Lagos and Ogun states, alongside heads and representatives of other security agencies, attended the training held at the Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
The organisers said the programme was part of efforts to strengthen the capacity of security personnel and promote professionalism, neutrality and collaboration in the management of electoral security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
