IGP Cancels Leave for Police Officers on Election Duties, Restricts Senior Officers’ Movements, Orders Welfare Audit
IGP Cancels Leave for Police Officers on Election Duties, Restricts Senior Officers’ Movements, Orders Welfare Audit
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police officers assigned to election security duties ahead of the 2027 general elections, directing them to remain available for deployment throughout the electoral process.
Disu also ordered Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to remain within their respective commands until the conclusion of the elections, warning that any movement outside their areas of responsibility must receive express approval from the Force Headquarters.
The directives were announced on Wednesday during the monthly conference with strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.
The IGP said the measures were part of preparations to ensure effective security arrangements before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
“All leave is cancelled for officers and men deployed for election security duties, effective immediately,” he said.
He further directed all Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process.
“Any travel outside your command requires express approval from Force Headquarters,” he added.
Disu also directed Commissioners of Police to verify the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected at the end of the week.
To strengthen inter-agency cooperation, 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 police chief warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to compromise the electoral process, facilitate political thuggery or interfere with the rights of voters.
He stressed that the Nigeria Police Force would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters, irrespective 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,” Disu warned.
He further cautioned officers against allowing themselves to be used by political interests, insisting that the police must protect the electoral process and the rights of citizens.
“The Nigeria Police Force is not a tool for any politician, any party or any interest. If you allow yourself to be used, you will face the consequences alone.
“Protect the process, protect the people, and protect your own career and reputation. Do not be used,” he said.
Beyond election preparations, the IGP also addressed the security situation in parts of the country, acknowledging that bandit attacks were still ongoing in some states.
He ordered an intensified crackdown on bandits and directed the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by the attacks.
Commissioners of Police in the affected states were given 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters.
Disu also directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment in consultation with the affected commands.
He called for sustained intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups to improve intelligence gathering.
Meanwhile, the IGP 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.
Disu commended police personnel involved in the operations and 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.
He also ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation gaps and other pressing needs, with reports expected at his office within 30 days.
