2027: Police review security strategies, warn against electoral violence

The Supervising Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Baba Zango, has urged police officers in Taraba state to uphold the highest standards of integrity, professionalism and respect for human rights as part of efforts to strengthen security ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Zango gave the charge during an operational assessment visit to the Taraba State Police Command to evaluate its preparedness for the forthcoming elections.

He stressed that effective policing required commitment, vigilance, accountability and strict adherence to established operational guidelines.

The DIG also urged officers to adopt proactive policing strategies by identifying and addressing potential security threats before they escalate into major incidents.

“The visit was part of ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen operational readiness, enhance inter-agency cooperation and ensure adequate security before, during and after the 2027 general elections,” the DIG said.

During his interaction with officers and men of the command, Zango commended their efforts in maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property across the state.

He, however, charged them to remain disciplined, diligent and accountable in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.

A major highlight of the visit, as observed by our reporter, was a review of the command’s preparedness for the 2027 general elections, with emphasis on intelligence-led policing, inter-agency collaboration, prevention of political violence and thuggery, and the protection of electoral stakeholders and critical infrastructure.

The engagement was also noticed to have underscored the need for sustained collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, civil society organisations, traditional rulers, community leaders, youth groups and other stakeholders to identify potential threats and address issues capable of undermining peaceful electoral participation.

In his remarks, the state Commissioner of Police, Edwin Ogbebhaghagha, reaffirmed the command’s commitment to implementing the directives and operational guidelines of the Inspector-General of Police to ensure a peaceful, credible and secure electoral process.

Ogbebhaghagha assured the supervising DIG that the command would continue to strengthen its operational strategies, assess emerging security concerns and collaborate with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to identify and address threats before they escalate.

He disclosed that the command had commenced community engagement and sensitisation initiatives involving civil society organisations and other stakeholders to raise awareness about the dangers of electoral violence, political thuggery, the spread of inflammatory information and other activities capable of threatening public peace.

The police commissioner emphasised that the protection of lives and property remained the command’s foremost priority.

He assured residents that appropriate security measures would be put in place to protect voters, electoral officials, candidates, observers and members of the public, irrespective of their political affiliations.

Ogbebhaghagha also called on political actors, their supporters, community leaders and youths to conduct themselves peacefully, respect the electoral process and refrain from actions capable of disrupting public order.

He urged members of the public to report credible information about security threats, suspicious movements and planned acts of violence to the police or other relevant security agencies.

The Taraba state police command reiterated its commitment to professionalism, impartiality and proactive policing, assuring residents that it would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to address security challenges and provide a safe environment for citizens to exercise their civic rights.

The command further encouraged residents to provide timely and credible information to security agencies, assuring them that such information would be treated with confidentiality and discretion.