Police, DSS deploy intelligence, reinforcements ahead of Plateau 2027 elections

The Plateau State Police Command says it is reinforcing personnel and logistics and intensifying intelligence gathering ahead of the 2027 general elections to prevent violence in a state identified as a potential electoral flashpoint.

The Commissioner of Police, Faniyan Ayodeji, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ meeting with political party leaders and candidates in Jos, assuring residents that security agencies would frustrate attempts to disrupt the polls.

The meeting, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, brought together representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the Nigerian Army, the National Orientation Agency and the Inter-Party Advisory Council.

Ayodeji said the Inspector-General of Police had been briefed on the state’s security situation and approved additional personnel and logistics to address emerging threats.

“We have observed some flashpoints in terms of insecurity, and as the election period approaches, a lot of attention and focus is being directed toward Plateau State. Our duty as security agencies is to disappoint those who are expecting or predicting violence,” he said.

The commissioner said the police were working with other security agencies to identify areas with a history of electoral violence, assess potential threats and develop strategies to respond to election-related crimes.

He added that the command was ready to collaborate with political parties and candidates while providing security protection for all participants in the electoral process.

Ayodeji identified vote-buying, political thuggery, hate speech, incitement, intra-party and inter-party conflicts, and the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media as key threats authorities would monitor.

He urged political actors to comply with the Electoral Act and avoid inflammatory campaigns capable of triggering violence.

“Election is not a do-or-die affair. Election should not ignite violence. Election should not divide us,” he said, urging parties to canvass for votes peacefully and allow voters to make their choices.

The police commissioner also reaffirmed the force’s commitment to neutrality, saying officers would be deployed to polling units across the state, with patrol vehicles positioned to support rapid responses to emergencies.

He said intelligence operations were ongoing to identify individuals who might seek to exploit electoral activities to cause disturbances.

The Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian, also pledged collaboration with other security agencies to ensure adequate protection before, during and after the elections.

Damian, however, said the conduct of political parties and INEC would play a major role in determining the security demands of the polls.

He argued that responsible conduct by electoral officials and political actors would reduce the need for security personnel to be deployed to every location.

The stakeholders’ meeting was aimed at building consensus among political parties and security agencies on measures to ensure peaceful, credible and transparent elections in Plateau State.