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 nationwide crackdown on banditry.
Disu announced the directives on Wednesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
He directed all Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process, warning that any movement outside their areas of responsibility must receive express approval from Force Headquarters.
The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police in states affected by bandit attacks to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements within 72 hours.
He directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities facing security threats, while tasking the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the exercise.
Disu acknowledged that bandit attacks remained a serious concern in some parts of the country, adding that the police would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with traditional rulers, community leaders, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups.
On preparations for the 2027 elections, he directed police commands to verify the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected by the end of the week.
He also ordered police commands to establish direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps to ensure effective election security.
The police chief warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to compromise the electoral process, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights.
He insisted that the police would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters, irrespective of political affiliation.
Disu further disclosed that the Force had arrested 218 suspects for alleged banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference.
He added that police operations within the period also led to the rescue of 95 kidnap victims, recovery of 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles.
The IGP directed Commissioners of Police to ensure that outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty were paid without further delay.
He also ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation challenges and other pressing needs, with reports to be submitted to his office within 30 days.