The Chief of Defence Staff, Gen. Oluwafemi Oluyede, has emphasized the need for stronger collaboration between the Armed Forces and the Nigeria Police to ensure a secure and peaceful environment for the 2027 general elections. He made this call in a goodwill message at the opening of the sixth edition of the Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, CARSPO 2026, held in Owerri, Imo State. The conference, themed “Developing a Nigeria Police Road Map for Effective Management of Security During Elections,” aims to strengthen leadership and professional capacity among senior police officers.
Gen. Oluyede commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, for sustaining the annual conference, describing it as a vital platform for enhancing the skills of senior officers. He noted that Nigeria's approach to the 2027 polls must be anchored in a coherent security framework that protects democratic processes and citizens' rights. The CDS stressed that credible elections depend on a secure environment, which can only be achieved through collaboration among security agencies.
The CDS highlighted that no single security institution can address the country's complex security challenges alone. He emphasized that success will depend on intelligence sharing, mutual trust, and unified planning among agencies. Gen. Oluyede also affirmed the Armed Forces' commitment to a whole-of-government approach, involving the military, police, other security agencies, traditional rulers, civil society, and the citizenry.
Gen. Oluyede, represented by Maj.-Gen. Oluremi Fadairo, the General Officer Commanding 82 Division, pledged continued military support for police-led election operations. He noted that the military will provide lawful support to the police whenever required, in line with constitutional provisions. The CDS urged conference participants to develop practical, implementable recommendations to improve election security management and public trust in democratic institutions.
The conference, organized by Lender’s Consult, drew senior police officers and security experts from within and outside Nigeria. The event aims to foster collaboration and coordination among security agencies to ensure a secure and peaceful electoral process. Gen. Oluyede's call for synergy between the police and military is seen as a crucial step towards achieving this goal.
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has been commended for his efforts in sustaining the annual conference. The conference provides a platform for senior police officers to engage with security experts and develop strategies for effective election security management. The CDS's goodwill message underscores the importance of collaboration and coordination among security agencies in ensuring a secure electoral process.
The 2027 general elections are expected to be a critical moment for Nigeria's democracy. The CDS's call for police-military synergy is seen as a key step towards ensuring a secure and peaceful electoral process. The conference and retreat will provide a platform for senior police officers to develop practical recommendations for improving election security management and public trust in democratic institutions.
Key points
- The CDS calls for closer collaboration between the Armed Forces and Nigeria Police to secure the 2027 general elections.
- The conference aims to strengthen leadership and professional capacity among senior police officers.
- The CDS emphasizes the need for a coherent security framework to protect democratic processes and citizens' rights.
