The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is set to mobilise its senior officers and policing experts to develop a comprehensive security roadmap for the 2027 general elections.
The initiative will form the centrepiece of the sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026), scheduled to be held from September 21 to 23 in Owerri, Imo State.
Organised by the Nigeria Police Force in conjunction with Lenders Consult International, the three-day conference will bring together officers at the rank of Commissioner of Police and above, policing experts and other key stakeholders to review emerging electoral security threats and develop practical strategies for peaceful and credible elections.
The conference is themed ‘Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.’
According to a statement on Tuesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, deliberations at the conference will focus on intelligence-led policing, police-community partnerships, digital technologies and Artificial Intelligence (AI), among other contemporary approaches to policing.
The Force said the gathering would provide an opportunity for senior police officers to engage in strategic discussions on strengthening the police’s capacity to manage security before, during and after elections.
It said the outcome of the conference would include actionable strategies for protecting voters, electoral officials, candidates, election materials and members of the public during the 2027 elections.
The opening ceremony is scheduled for 10 a.m. on Monday, September 21, in Owerri.
The move comes as political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections continue to gather momentum, with security agencies expected to play a critical role in maintaining law and order throughout the electoral process.
Election security has remained a major concern in Nigeria, particularly because of the risks posed by political violence, vote-buying, intimidation, misinformation, attacks on electoral infrastructure and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The police, as the lead agency responsible for maintaining internal security during elections, are expected to provide security for voters, candidates, electoral personnel and materials while ensuring that citizens are able to exercise their franchise without intimidation.
The CARSPO 2026 deliberations are therefore expected to provide a platform for senior police officers to assess lessons from previous elections and incorporate emerging technologies and intelligence-gathering methods into the Force’s operational planning for 2027.
The Force said it remained committed to strengthening strategic leadership, professionalism and operational preparedness to ensure a peaceful, safe and secure environment for the 2027 general elections.
The conference is expected to conclude with a strategic framework to guide police preparations and operations for election security ahead of the 2027 polls.