The Niger State Police Command has trained its officers on election security management in preparation for the 2027 general elections. The training, which was organised in collaboration with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), took place during the command's end-of-month conference at the Police Officers' Mess, Dutsen-Kura, Minna. The training aimed to equip officers with the necessary skills to maintain professionalism and impartiality during the electoral process.
INEC State Training Officer, Dauda Haruna, emphasised the importance of officers remaining professional and impartial while protecting voters, candidates, party agents, and electoral officials. He stressed the need for officers to enforce electoral laws, make lawful arrests, preserve evidence, and document electoral offences. Haruna also cautioned personnel against provocative conduct and actions based on rumours or unverified allegations, urging them to verify claims of misconduct before taking action.
The training covered various aspects of election security, including electoral offences and penalties under the Electoral Act 2026, as well as procedures for managing misconduct at polling units. Haruna highlighted the use of Registration Area Centres (RACs) and Super RACs to reduce delays in transporting electoral materials. He also introduced the Collation Support Result Verification System (CSRVS), designed to identify errors during the collation of election results.
Haruna urged officers to de-escalate tensions at polling units, prevent clashes between opposing groups, and respect the rights of all electoral participants. He clarified that the inspection and verification of electoral materials remained the responsibility of INEC and its authorised representatives, while police personnel were expected to provide security within their assigned mandates.
In his remarks, the Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, assured INEC of the command's continued support for peaceful and credible elections. Elleman said continuous training was essential to improving officers' professionalism, adding that a team sponsored by the Nigeria Police Trust Fund would visit the command to provide further training on election security.
Elleman directed officers to intensify surveillance patrols, strengthen intelligence gathering, and provide security for political campaigns. He further instructed them to ensure that campaign activities were promptly reported. The Commissioner emphasised the importance of officers being aware of their roles and responsibilities during the electoral process.
The training is part of the police command's efforts to ensure a peaceful and credible electoral process in Niger State. With the 2027 general elections approaching, the police command is taking proactive steps to equip its officers with the necessary skills and knowledge to maintain law and order.
Key points
- Niger State Police Command trains officers on election security management ahead of 2027 general elections
- INEC collaborates with police to train officers on electoral laws and procedures
- Police command directs officers to intensify surveillance and provide security for political campaigns
