2027: IGP Cancels Election Duty Leave, Orders Crackdown on Banditry
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled leave for police personnel assigned to election security duties ahead of the 2027 general elections and ordered an intensified crackdown on banditry across the country.
Disu also directed the deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks, giving Commissioners of Police in affected states 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements.
The police chief announced the directives on Wednesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
Acknowledging that bandit attacks were still ongoing in some states, Disu said the Force would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with local communities to address the security challenges.
He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to affected areas in consultation with the respective commands.
“Bandit attacks are ongoing in some states across the federation, and communities in those areas continue to face real threats to their safety and livelihoods.
“This is a challenge we are confronting directly, and I will not allow this conference to pretend otherwise,” he said.
The IGP also directed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering by engaging traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups in affected communities.
“The people know who the bandits are. We must give them the confidence to tell us,” he added.
On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Disu ordered all officers and men assigned election security duties to forfeit their leave with immediate effect.
He also directed Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process. Any travel outside their areas of responsibility, he said, would require express approval from Force Headquarters.
“All leave is cancelled for officers and men deployed for election security duties, effective immediately.
“All Commissioners of Police and senior officers are to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process,” he said.
Disu further directed Commissioners of Police to assess the readiness of election security equipment, communications facilities, mobility and protective gear, and submit reports by the end of the week.
He ordered police commands to establish direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
The IGP warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to compromise the electoral process, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights.
He said the police would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters, regardless of their political affiliations.
“I will not tolerate any officer using the authority of the police to advance the interest of any political party, candidate or sponsor.
“Any officer found to be colluding with political actors, facilitating thuggery, compromising the integrity of the electoral process or interfering with the rights of voters will be disciplined according to the law,” he warned.
Meanwhile, Disu disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism, 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists since the last strategic officers’ conference.
He added that the Force had rescued 95 kidnap victims, recovered 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles within the period.
The IGP commended personnel involved in the operations, saying their courage and commitment had contributed to the achievements recorded by the Force.
On police welfare, Disu directed Commissioners of Police to ensure that outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty were paid without further delay.
“No family of a fallen officer should be left to struggle alone,” he said.
He also ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation gaps and other pressing needs, directing that the reports be submitted to his office within 30 days.
Disu urged senior officers to strengthen supervision, discipline and operational effectiveness, warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.
By Oluwafemi Shodipe.
