Police conference urges election-security roadmap ahead of 2027 vote
Organiser Shina Philips said Nigeria’s 2026 police conference helped officers reassess strategies as crime and security threats evolve. Held in Owerri, the meeting focused on election security before the 2027 general elections, while participants also discussed technology, intelligence, coordination, neutrality, accountability and public trust.
A Nigerian police conference has recommended a comprehensive security plan covering the period before, during and after the 2027 general elections, according to organiser Shina Philips. The recommendation emerged from the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers, held in Owerri, Imo State, from 21 to 23 September. This year’s theme was developing a police roadmap for managing security during elections.
Philips told Premium Times that the conference was intended to help the Nigeria Police Force review its response to changing crime and security threats. He said criminal methods were evolving, requiring the police to reassess their strategies, technology and approach to policing. The conference called for stronger intelligence gathering, cooperation between agencies, adequate logistics, specialised training, effective communication and accountability.
Participants also discussed artificial intelligence, intelligence-led policing, leadership and public trust. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu warned officers against political bias. He said the police should protect citizens and enforce the law rather than determine political outcomes, adding that officers who sided with political actors, harassed voters or abused their powers would face investigation and punishment.
Disu said election security covered the entire electoral cycle, not just election day. Independent National Electoral Commission chairman Joash Amupitan said police professionalism had improved in recent elections, but argued that effective election security required adequate funding. The meeting also considered technology.
Disu said the police were using CCTV, facial recognition and analytics, while Ross Alabo-George of Proxy Logic cautioned that digital transformation required sound processes first. Philips praised Imo Governor Hope Uzodimma and Disu for supporting the conference, which Imo has hosted three times since CARSPO began in 2019.
This independently written report is based on information supplied by the named publisher. Vertrix News has not independently verified the source report.