2027: Disu warns politicians against hiring thugs

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Nigeria’s Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu poses for a portrait inside his office at the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, in Abuja, on September 9, 2026. Nigeria’s police are backing a sweeping overhaul of the country’s security structure which would see a shift from the federal force toward state-level management, the force’s top officer told AFP. President Bola Tinubu’s government is pushing reforms that would require a constitutional amendment to create police forces managed independently by Nigeria’s 36 states. (Photo by Light Oriye Tamunotonye / AFP)

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…Police unveil six-point election security framework

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OWERRI — Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has warned politicians against hiring thugs, buying votes, moving arms or threatening voters and electoral officials ahead of the 2027 general elections.

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Disu, who issued the warning on Monday at the sixth conference and retreat for senior police officers in Owerri, Imo State, said the police would arrest and prosecute persons involved in electoral offences regardless of their political status.

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The IGP challenged politicians and their supporters to seek votes through ideas and peaceful campaigns rather than violence and intimidation.

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“To politicians and their supporters, my message is simple. Compete with ideas, not with thugs,” Disu said.

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“Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The police will act against anyone who does that, whatever their status.”

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He said the Nigeria Police Force would collaborate with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, EFCC, and Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission, ICPC, to investigate vote-buying and other forms of electoral inducement.

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According to him, the police would also work with prosecutors to ensure that suspects arrested for electoral offences are taken through the judicial process.

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“Arrest is not enough; we will work with INEC, EFCC, and ICPC to investigate vote buying and inducement. We will also work with prosecutors so that those arrested will face trial, not just headlines,” he said.

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Disu identified impunity as a major factor encouraging electoral crimes and urged Nigerians to participate peacefully in the elections and report violations.

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“Impunity is the greatest encouragement of electoral crimes. To the people of Nigeria, go out, vote peacefully and report wrongdoing,” he said.

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The IGP also unveiled a six-pillar framework to guide police operations before, during and after the 2027 elections.

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The framework comprises strengthened intelligence and early-warning systems; intensive training and operational preparedness; joint command and inter-agency coordination; effective communication and technology deployment; sustained community partnership; and absolute neutrality.

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Disu said the framework would strengthen the police response to security threats and support a coordinated approach to election security.

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The conference was attended by Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma, Secretary to the Government of the Federation, George Akume, representatives of other security agencies and other government officials.

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