2027: IGP cancels police leave, restricts senior officers’ movement

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled leave for police personnel assigned to election security and restricted the movement of senior officers ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Disu directed all Commissioners of Police and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process, warning that travel outside their areas of responsibility must receive express approval from Force Headquarters.

The directives were announced on Wednesday during the monthly conference of strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja.

The IGP also ordered Commissioners of Police in states affected by bandit attacks to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements within 72 hours.

He directed the immediate deployment of additional personnel, mobility and air support to communities facing banditry, tasking the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the exercise.

Disu acknowledged that bandit attacks remained ongoing in some states, saying the Force would intensify intelligence-led operations and strengthen collaboration with local communities.

“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,” he said.

The police chief also directed commands to sustain operational plans for high-risk areas and deepen intelligence gathering through traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups.

On election preparations, Disu ordered Commissioners of Police to verify the readiness of security equipment, communication facilities, vehicles and protective gear, with reports expected by the end of the week.

He further directed 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.

Disu warned officers against political interference, thuggery and actions capable of compromising voters’ rights, insisting that the police would remain non-partisan.

“I will not tolerate any officer using the authority of the police to advance the interest of any political party, candidate or sponsor,” he said.

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He warned that officers found colluding with political actors or undermining the electoral process would face disciplinary action.

The IGP also 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 said the Force also rescued 95 kidnap victims, recovered 306 firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition and 116 stolen vehicles within the period.

Disu commended 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 to be submitted within 30 days.

The IGP urged senior officers to strengthen supervision and discipline, warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.