…Ariwoola urges early response to threats

The Nigeria Police Force has commenced security assessments and threat analysis to identify potential flashpoints and emerging threats ahead of the 2027 general elections, as part of efforts to prevent electoral violence and reduce political tensions.

The Force said the ongoing exercise would help determine areas requiring additional personnel and operational attention before, during and after the polls.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations, DIG Shehu Nadada, disclosed this on Thursday when the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development’s Council of the Wise padi a courtesy visit to the Police leadership in Abuja.

Nadada who was represented by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Counter-Terrorism Operations at the Force Headquarters, AIG Ako Gabriel, said the police were implementing measures to strengthen election security, including personnel training, threat assessment and engagement with political actors and other stakeholders.

“One of our major priorities is security assessment and threat analysis. This process is ongoing to identify potential flashpoints, assess emerging threats, and determine areas where additional resources and operational attention will be required to prevent violence and reduce political tensions,” he said.

He said training was also underway for police officers and personnel from other security agencies who would participate in election security operations, to ensure they understood their responsibilities and conducted themselves professionally while protecting the rights and safety of all stakeholders.

According to him, the police aim to create an environment where voters can exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation, while ensuring the safety of officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), electoral materials, observers and other participants in the process.

Gabriel said the Force was drawing lessons from previous elections to improve its operational capacity ahead of the 2027 polls.

He recalled that the police organised a conference and retreat for senior officers in September, where participants examined lessons from previous elections, identified operational gaps and discussed strategies to secure the next general elections.

He added that commissioners of police and heads of formations had been directed to take the recommendations from the conference to their respective commands and sustain engagements with politicians, members of the public and voters.

According to him, such engagements had contributed to peace initiatives in some states, where political actors had signed accords committing themselves to peaceful elections and pledging not to engage in or encourage violence.

The DIG stressed, however, that election security could not be achieved by security agencies alone, calling for cooperation among INEC, political parties, voters, civil society organisations and international partners.

“Election security cannot be achieved by the police and other security agencies alone. All hands must be on deck,” he said.

He said all stakeholders had a responsibility to comply with the Electoral Act and other relevant laws, adding that violations must be addressed appropriately.

Earlier, the Chairman of the Council of the Wise and former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Olukayode Ariwoola, urged the police to strengthen early warning and response mechanisms to prevent electoral violence.

Ariwoola who was represented by a council member Shuaibu Oba AbdulRaheem, said the police should monitor candidates’ utterances during campaigns at all levels and promptly caution those making inflammatory statements capable of inciting violence.

“The Council of the Wise also wishes to remind the IGP about the importance of early warning and early response to quench triggers and instigators of violence and conflict so that we have free and fair elections devoid of violence,” he said.

He urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to protect voters, polling centres, electoral materials and INEC officials.

The council chairman stressed that police officers deployed for election duties must remain neutral and professional throughout the electoral process.

Ariwoola said the council was concerned about the violence that had characterised some previous elections, recalling that the 2011 general elections were followed by killings and destruction of property, particularly in northern Nigeria.

He noted that the Savannah Centre established the Council of the Wise ahead of the 2015 elections to engage political and other stakeholders and promote peaceful, free, fair and credible polls.

The council, reconstituted in June 2026 ahead of the 2027 general elections, has continued its intervention and mediation efforts with political parties, security agencies and other stakeholders.

Ariwoola called on Nigerians to turn out peacefully to vote for candidates of their choice, saying the conduct of the elections remained a collective responsibility of all stakeholders.

He said Nigeria’s democratic progress depended on credible elections and urged political actors, security agencies and voters to place national interest above partisan considerations.