The Nigerian Police Force, Nigerian Navy and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, have pledged to strengthen collaboration ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The security agencies made the commitment on Monday at a one-day seminar organised by Naval Base Abuja, with the theme, “The Roles of the Armed Forces in Conducting Free, Fair and Credible Elections.”
Representing the police, ACP Akaniyene Edwards of the Department of Operations, FCT Command, said the support of the armed forces remained important to the successful conduct of elections across the country.
Edwards explained that while the police had the primary responsibility for election security, the military provided additional manpower to strengthen security coverage and prevent attempts to disrupt the electoral process.
He disclosed that the police were already preparing personnel for the 2027 elections through training and retraining programmes focused on the Electoral Act and other regulations guiding elections.
According to him, the police were also engaging community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to promote a peaceful electoral environment.
He said the objective was to ensure that voters could exercise their rights without fear of intimidation or harassment and that the elections would be free, fair, safe and credible.
Edwards urged security personnel deployed for election duties to remain impartial, apolitical and professional, stressing that force should only be used when necessary.
The Commander of Naval Base Abuja, Commodore Oluseyi Oladipo, said the military remained committed to supporting the democratic process by creating the conditions necessary for credible elections.
Oladipo said the Chief of the Naval Staff, Vice Admiral Idi Abbas, had directed naval commands, formations and bases to organise seminars to prepare personnel for their roles during elections.
He explained that the seminar was aimed at improving the understanding of Navy personnel who would be deployed for electoral duties and ensuring they operate within constitutional, legal and institutional frameworks.
Also speaking, the NSCDC representative, Assistant Commandant of Corps Stephen John, said Nigerians’ right to vote must be protected as a fundamental democratic right.
John stressed the need for security agencies to work together to protect lives and property, safeguard voters and ensure the secure movement of sensitive electoral materials.
He expressed optimism that stronger cooperation among law enforcement agencies would contribute to peaceful, free, fair and credible elections in 2027.
