The Nigeria Police Force, Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos, in collaboration with the Institute for Police and Security Policy Research, IPSPR, has trained senior officers and election stakeholders on professionalism, neutrality and inter-agency collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The one-day sensitisation and training programme, held at the MD Abubakar Hall, Zone 2 Headquarters, was themed, “Professionalism, Neutrality and Collaboration: Strengthening Election Security for Safe and Credible Elections.”
Speaking at the programme, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2, AIG Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, said effective election security required coordination among security agencies and strict adherence to professional standards.
Jimoh said securing elections was not the responsibility of a single agency, stressing that effective coordination, mutual respect and professionalism were essential to protecting voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, as the lead security agency for elections, to working with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) within the provisions of the Constitution and the Electoral Act 2026.
The AIG said security arrangements would cover the three phases of the electoral process — pre-election, election day and post-election — with measures aimed at protecting voters, INEC officials, electoral materials, ad-hoc staff and other critical stakeholders.
He urged personnel who would be deployed for election duties to remain apolitical, impartial and professional and to carry out their responsibilities strictly in accordance with the law.
The Director-General of IPSPR, Dr Charles Omole, described the training as timely and necessary, noting that it was structured around a “train-the-trainers” approach.
Omole explained that the senior officers were expected to transfer the knowledge and lessons acquired during the programme to other personnel who would be deployed for election duties.
He warned that lapses in professionalism or inadequate protection of the electoral process could undermine public confidence in the elections.
“An unsecured ballot amounts to a wish with no guarantee,” he said.
In a goodwill message, the Air Officer Commanding, Nigerian Air Force Logistics Command, Air Vice Marshal Abubakar Abdul Suleh, said the military remained committed to supporting the democratic process and providing necessary and lawful assistance throughout the electoral cycle.
The Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, acknowledged the role of the Nigeria Police Force as the lead agency for election security and stressed the importance of adequate security briefings and professional conduct by personnel deployed for election duties.
A goodwill message on behalf of the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwanu Babatunde Osuolale Aremu Akiolu I, was delivered by Eletu Odibo, Chief Ajibade Nosiru Ayeni, while the representative of the Executive Secretary and Chief Executive Officer of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Dr Ayodele Ogunsan, also expressed support for the initiative.
The programme was declared open by the Provost of the Nigeria Police School of Public Relations, CP Emmanuel Ojukwu (Rtd.).
Participants were drawn from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigerian Army, Nigerian Navy, Nigerian Air Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Customs Service, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Federal Fire Service and Ministry of Justice.
Other participating stakeholders included INEC, National Orientation Agency, National Youth Service Corps, Lagos State Security Trust Fund, Inter-Party Advisory Council, Police Community Relations Committee and members of the media.
Resource persons included Omole; Idris Bawa; Ojukwu; CP Abayomi Shogunle, Nigeria Police Force CP Elections, who was represented by ACP Jamberlang Timothy; Bernard Oniga, Esq.; and Dr Segun Awosanya, popularly known as Segalink.