The theme of the conference is "Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections". Meaning that Nigeria is about to ask its people to choose their leaders. The Presidential and National Assembly elections are set for Saturday 16th January, 2027, and the Governorship and State Assembly elections for Saturday, February 6th, 2027. How safe those elections are will depend heavily on the officers in this hall. That is why we are here.
Disu therefore thanked His Excellency, Senator Hope Uzodimma for hosting the Nigeria Police Force and also appreciating the Lenders Consult Nigeria Limited for supporting this sixth edition. He also thanked the President, Bola Ahmed Tinubu who was highly represented by the Secretary to the Government of the Federation, Senator George Akume. Then emphasizing on his leadership and for the supportive role he has given the Police Force in welfare, equipment, recruitment and funding. 'Mr President, we hear your charge for free, fair, credible and peaceful elections. The Nigeria Police Force will deliver on it' Disu said.
"Before anything else, let us honour the officers who died in the line of duty. They left home to protect others and did not return. We owe their families more than words, and I pledge that their welfare, and the welfare of serving officers, will remain a priority of my leadership. Since I assumed office in February 2026, our officers have arrested 251 terrorists and suspected bandits, 343 murder suspects, 566 armed robbery suspects and 483 suspected cultists. They have rescued 1,066 kidnap victims and recovered 947 firearms and over 22,000 rounds of ammunition. I commend you" Disu emphaemphasize.
The Police Boss explained that Kidnapping, banditry, terrorism and communal violence still cost Nigerians their lives and their peace of mind, and numbers do not console a grieving family that the police will not slow down on these threats because an election is coming which they will fight them and secure the elections at the same time.
'Today, the world marks the International Day of Peace under the theme "Invest in Peace – For Everyone, Everywhere, Ever Day." For us, that means investing in professionalism, in public trust and in early action, because peace is built before violence starts. Our duty does not begin on election day. It covers the whole electoral cycle: intelligence, planning, training, protecting INEC staff and materials, preventing violence and responding fast. We must prepare before the crisis, not during it. To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs. Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The Police will act against anyone who does, whatever their status' Disu explained.
He also assured Nigerians that arrest is not enough, since they will work with INEC, the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate vote-buying and inducement, and with prosecutors so that those arrested face trial, not just headlines. Impunity is the greatest encouragement to electoral crime. Then urged Nigerians to go out and vote peacefully and report wrongdoing. That phone Numbers for a public election complaints line will be shared by the Force Public Relations Department by Monday, 12th October, 2026 ahead of the 2027 General Elections. Since their vote is their right, and the police will protect it.
The Inspector General of Police then reeled out six pillars to worked upon which are as follows:-First, they must know early....which means that their intelligence and early warning systems must be fully activated, with flashpoints and criminal networks mapped now. Commissioners must know their communities, and credible intelligence must reach command in time to act.
Second, they must train hard, officers will be trained in crowd management, protection of electoral personnel and materials, conflict prevention, rapid response and human-rights-compliant policing, and they must be ready in mind as well as in skill. The training must include the protection of the ad-hoc INEC staff who carry democracy on their shoulders, and of the voters most easily frightened away: women, the elderly and persons with disabilities. A polling unit where these citizens feel unsafe is a polling unit where the election has already failed.
Third, they must command jointly since no agency secures an election alone, so they will hold joint exercises with INEC and sister agencies and set clear lines of command and communication before an incident, not after.
Fourth, they must communicate fast. Technology and reliable communication must give them real-time reporting, situational awareness and rapid response, because a command is only as good as its ability to act on information. Falsehood now travels faster than any patrol. Fake results, forged police statements and inflammatory videos can spark violence before we arrive. They will monitor and counter election disinformation quickly, correct it with facts, and pursue those who deliberately incite violence online.
Fifth, they must partner with the people. Traditional and religious leaders, youths, civil society, the media since ordinary citizens often see tensions before do, and they must listen to them continuously, not only when an election is near.
Sixth, they must stay neutral since they protect citizens and enforce the law. They do not decide political outcomes because they will be firm against violence, but always within the law.
Disu reminded the audience of the recent Osun election that gave them a chance to learn. It was largely peaceful, but they saw isolated incidents, reports of voter intimidation and inducement, and some operational challenges. They must ask honestly where they intelligence failed, where their response was slow, and where training or communication fell short, and then they must change what needs changing. He the called on Commissioners of Police, since they represent the Inspector-General in their states that they should Know their commands. Supervise their officers. Make sure every directive from Force Headquarters reaches every officer through regular lectures and briefings, because command includes communication, supervision, correction and example.
"I also direct every Commissioner to publish an official contact number so the public can reach you. A Commissioner of Police the public cannot reach cannot understand the public's fears. Every officer must know the rules that govern his or her powers, because ignorance is no excuse for misconduct. Every officer is the face of this Force. One courteous act builds confidence, and one act of abuse destroys it. In an age of cameras and mobile phones, do what is right whether or not anyone is filming. Our officers will be deployed for long hours in hard places. I direct that election-duty allowances be paid on time, that duty rotations allow rest, and that every officer knows the rules on the use of force. Force must be a last resort, lawful and proportionate. A well-cared-for officer is harder to compromise and less likely to overreact' he said.