The Nigeria Police Force has unveiled plans to secure 176,846 polling units across the country during the 2027 general elections, saying it will deploy predictive analysis and risk assessment to identify potential trouble spots.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of Election Planning, Monitoring and Evaluation at Force Headquarters, Dr Abayomi Sogunle, disclosed this during a panel session at the 10th annual conference of the Guild of Corporate Online Publishers (GOCOP) in Lagos on Thursday.
Sogunle said the police had commenced preparations for the elections and would deploy an adequate number of personnel to ensure effective security throughout the electoral process.
The conference, themed “2027 Elections: Trust, Transparency and Shared Responsibilities”, examined the roles of electoral institutions, security agencies, the media and other stakeholders in delivering credible elections.
Sogunle said the police had adopted an evidence-based approach to election security, drawing lessons from previous elections and incorporating academic methods into operational planning.
He cited the Anambra State governorship election as the first major test of the approach, saying the police applied the problem analysis triangle to identify and address factors that could facilitate electoral violence.
The model focuses on the relationship between a potential offender, a target or victim, and the absence of effective guardianship or security.
“We found out that we needed to do different things. We brought in the academic angle as it is done in other countries. The Anambra State election was our first test. For once, election was conducted in one day. There was no shooting, no killing. There rather was an increase in voter turnout,” Sogunle said.
He added that the strategy was subsequently applied during elections in the Federal Capital Territory and Ekiti State, where, according to him, the police recorded no major security incidents.
Sogunle said the Force also deployed a multi-layered security approach in Ekiti State, taking into account its proximity to neighbouring states, including Kogi and Kwara.
He explained that election security had become more complex because elections in individual states could attract people from other locations, some of whom might attempt to disrupt the process.
The police commissioner also said deterrence strategies were being employed to discourage individuals planning to engage in electoral offences.
On the announcement of election results, Sogunle said the police would operate strictly within the provisions of the law, particularly regarding the roles of authorised electoral officials.
The panel also featured the Head of the Department of Mass Communication at the University of Lagos, Prof Tayo Popoola; the Creative Director of Gender Agenda and founder of WEWE Network Afrique, Dr Adaora Sydney-Jack; and the Executive Director of the International Press Institute, Lanre Arogundade. The discussion was moderated by the Publisher of Political Economist, Ken Ugbechue.
The panel examined the keynote presentation delivered by the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Joash Amupitan, who was represented by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof Ayobami Salami.
Earlier, the conference chairman and former President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Dr Olisa Agbakoba, described citizens as the principal stakeholders in the country’s democracy and urged INEC to ensure that the 2027 elections were free, fair and credible.
Agbakoba also raised concerns over the proliferation of opinion polls, election projections and unofficial results shared through traditional and digital media, questioning who had the constitutional authority to declare election results.
In his welcome address, GOCOP President, Danlami Nmodu, said the conference was taking place at a critical moment as Nigeria approaches another general election.
He said public trust in institutions, transparency in the electoral process and shared responsibility among stakeholders were essential to strengthening democracy.
Nmodu urged politicians to prioritise the welfare of citizens, while calling on journalists to report facts fairly and hold both the government and opposition accountable.
He also urged the Federal Government to intensify efforts to tackle insecurity, promote peace and support economic activities, noting that improved security would create greater opportunities for citizens to work, invest and improve their living standards.
In a goodwill message, Imo State Governor Hope Uzodimma urged media organisations to remain objective and factual during the elections.
Uzodimma was represented at the conference by the state Commissioner for Information, Public Orientation and Strategy, Declan Emelumba.
