Get Guardian on Google• Situation Room warns against abuse of incumbency ahead of 2027 polls
• EFCC begins background checks on campaign spending
• Report projects 120 security incidents weekly in November
• Security agencies neutralised 491 gunmen, 972 abductees rescued in two months
• Police vow crackdown on attacks against opposition, assure INEC ad-hoc staff of protection
With 70 days to the 2027 general elections, fresh concerns over Nigeria’s security situation have emerged ahead of the poll, as an October security assessment by EONS Intelligence recorded 519 incidents nationwide. This came as security agencies said they neutralised 491 terrorists, bandits and criminals while rescuing 972 kidnapped victims over two months.
Also, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room yesterday raised the alarm over rising political violence ahead of the 2027 polls, saying 27 people were killed in 20 election-related incidents recorded across the country in the first 10 months of 2026. The organisation said the incidents formed part of 70 physical election-related attacks recorded across 19 states and the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) between January 1 and October 27, 2026.
The EONS report covering Weeks 39 to 43 of October 2026 showed that overall security incidents declined by 11 per cent compared with September. However, it warned of a changing pattern of insecurity, with incidents in the southern region increasing by 36 per cent, while those in the North fell by 29 per cent.
The findings come amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, with the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) warning that attacks on opposition supporters, destruction of campaign materials and other forms of political violence would attract arrest and prosecution.
The report recorded 300 incidents in the North, representing 58 per cent of the national total, compared with 219 incidents, or 42 per cent, in the South. Although the North retained the highest overall volume, the rise in southern incidents points to a growing security challenge outside the traditional conflict areas.
Other major incidents captured in the report included a boat accident in Rivers State, which left 10 people dead and seven missing, and an explosion along the Trans-Niger Pipeline in Eleme, Rivers State, which reportedly injured 20 people and destroyed about 50 homes.
The report raised concerns about political tension ahead of the 2027 elections and warned that security threats could take different forms across the country, including armed attacks, kidnapping, cult violence and politically motivated disturbances.
It projected between 90 and 120 security incidents weekly in November, including 10 to 20 armed attacks, and urged residents and travellers to exercise caution, particularly on high-risk routes in parts of the North.
Against this backdrop, the Defence Headquarters on Thursday disclosed that troops neutralised 435 terrorists and bandits, arrested 809 suspects and rescued 717 kidnapped victims and other captives in two months.
Director of Defence Information, Brig.-Gen. Samaila Mohammed Uba, stated this on Thursday in Abuja at a joint security agencies’ briefing where they presented their operational reports for September and October 2026. The military reported that 198 insurgents surrendered, while troops recovered 5,666 arms, ammunition, explosives and improvised explosive devices.
Among the notable rescue operations were the release of 20 prospective National Youth Service Corps members in Owerri and 11 people in Danko-Wasagu Local Government Area of Kebbi State.
Meanwhile, the NPF, on its part, said it arrested 1,519 suspects, neutralised 56 armed criminals and rescued 255 kidnapped victims during the review period. The police also recovered 191 firearms and 3,873 rounds of ammunition, while 117 vehicles were seized.
Presenting the police report, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, disclosed that the force recorded 418 homicide incidents, 227 kidnapping cases, 168 banditry incidents, 165 armed robbery cases, 73 cult-related clashes, 51 terrorism-related incidents and 49 cases of gender-based violence.
On concerns over the destruction of campaign posters and alleged intimidation of opposition parties ahead of the 2027 general elections, Iniedu said the police had received reports of pre-election violence.
He said special police commands and commissioners of police had been directed to arrest and prosecute anyone involved in pre-election violence or destruction of campaign materials. He urged victims to report incidents at police stations rather than rely solely on social media to draw attention to them.
The police spokesman also said the force had conducted threat assessments ahead of the 2027 elections and was working with other security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to strengthen protection for National Youth Service Corps members and other ad hoc election personnel. He added that commissioners of police had been directed to arrest and prosecute individuals involved in hate speech and incitement.
The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) reported recovering N1.23 trillion and securing 10,872 convictions between October 2023 and July 2026. Its spokesperson, Dele Oyewale, said the commission was conducting background work on possible illicit financing ahead of the 2027 elections but declined to disclose details of its investigations. “We are doing our work,” he said, adding that the commission would make information available when there was something to report.
MEANWHILE, the Nigeria Civil Society Situation Room, while raising the alarm over rising political violence as contained in the CLEEN Foundation’s Election Security Threat Assessment, identified campaign rallies and party offices as major targets of political violence.
Addressing a press conference in Abuja on Thursday, Co-Convener, Nigerian Civil Society Situation Room, Celestine Odo, said violence had been recorded around party congresses, primaries and campaign activities, with September accounting for 14 incidents.
The group expressed concern over what it described as a shrinking political space, growing hostility among political parties and the increasing use of intimidation to discourage opposition activities.
Odo cited the October 10 attack on supporters of the Nigeria Democratic Congress at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu, during which a supporter, Ifeanyi Nwolie, was reportedly shot dead. It also referenced an attack on the convoy of an NDC House of Assembly candidate in Ezza South Local Government Area of Ebonyi State, which reportedly left one person dead and three others injured.
The Situation Room recalled allegations by the African Democratic Congress that its candidate’s convoy was attacked near Sokoto Airport on October 30 by suspected members of the Sokoto Marshal and State Community Guard. The ADC had alleged that gunshots were fired, its vehicle was damaged and two Department of State Services operatives were detained. The police reportedly said they were investigating the incident, while the All Progressives Congress disputed the account.
The group expressed concern over a statement attributed to former Deputy Senate President, Ovie Omo-Agege, who reportedly warned on October 23 that those who attempted to rig the 2027 elections would do so at their own risk. Omo-Agege later defended the remark, saying it was directed at those who might manipulate election results. The Situation Room said such rhetoric could heighten political tension and called on political leaders to exercise restraint in their public statements.
“The Nigeria Police Force and other security agencies must demonstrate absolute impartiality in the discharge of their responsibilities. Security deployments, investigations and enforcement actions must not favour or disadvantage any political party or candidate.
“The Situation Room calls for the prompt investigation of documented incidents of political intimidation and violence, including the identification and prosecution of sponsors, organisers and perpetrators. Political violence must not become an instrument for determining who can campaign, who can participate or whose votes will count”, Odo states.
The group warned political office holders against abusing state power, intimidating opposition figures and using public resources to gain undue advantage ahead of the 2027 general elections. The coalition said the growing use of intimidation, political violence and administrative restrictions could undermine political competition and erode public confidence in the electoral process.
Odo also raised concerns over the cost of campaign billboards in some states, alleging that the fees being demanded could undermine fair political competition and restrict the visibility of opposition parties.
According to him, presidential campaign billboard fees were reportedly pegged at N200 million in Abia State, N150 million in Enugu, Kogi and Cross River states, N75 million in Rivers, N50 million in Anambra and N40 million in Benue.
It contrasted the figures with conventional billboard rental rates, which it said generally ranged between N200,000 and N15 million monthly. The coalition urged relevant authorities to investigate the charges and ensure that political parties and candidates enjoyed equal access to public advertising spaces.
On preparations for the elections, the Situation Room expressed concern over issues surrounding the independence of the Independent National Electoral Commission, particularly appointments and the redeployment of personnel. It urged INEC to address concerns raised over its preliminary voters’ register, following the publication of the register on October 26.
The commission had acknowledged the need for verification and data cleaning after concerns were raised over suspected AI-generated photographs and questionable records in the preliminary register. The Situation Room said the credibility of the voters’ register was central to public confidence in the electoral process and urged INEC to ensure that all irregularities were addressed before the final certification expected on December 15.
