2027: IGP Cancels Police Officers’ Leave, Orders Nationwide Crackdown on Bandits

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police personnel assigned to election duties ahead of the 2027 general elections and ordered a fresh nationwide offensive against bandits.

Disu also directed the immediate deployment of additional security personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks. He gave Commissioners of Police in affected states 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to the Force Headquarters.

The police chief announced the directives on Wednesday during a meeting with senior officers in Abuja, acknowledging the continued attacks in some parts of the country. He ordered intensified intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with traditional rulers, hunters, vigilante groups and other community stakeholders to identify and apprehend criminal elements.

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On the 2027 elections, Disu directed commissioners and senior officers to remain in their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process, warning that travel outside their areas of responsibility would require approval from the Force Headquarters. He also ordered commands to assess their election security equipment and establish direct coordination with INEC, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

Disu warned officers against partisan conduct, political interference and collusion with politicians to facilitate thuggery or undermine voters’ rights. He vowed that any personnel found compromising the electoral process would face disciplinary action, stressing that the police would provide equal protection to all candidates, political parties and voters regardless of their affiliations.