Police pledge protection for corps members and INEC staff ahead of 2027 elections

The Nigeria Police Force has promised to protect National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and other temporary staff hired by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu, gave the assurance on Thursday at a joint briefing by security agencies, organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA).

The promise comes after recent abductions involving serving and prospective corps members in Ogun and Imo states. Those cases had raised fears about the safety of young Nigerians sent to serve in unfamiliar states, many of whom are posted to work as election officials.

Threat assessment and more deployments

Iniedu said the police had carried out a wide threat assessment ahead of the elections and were tightening security arrangements. He said the force was working with INEC and other agencies to protect corps members and other temporary electoral staff.

He explained that criminals often turn to softer targets once harder ones are secured. “In every election cycle, there are potential threats to soft targets,” he said, adding that the force was preparing for the challenges.

He pointed to the Osun governorship election, where he said the police met corps members, their parents and other stakeholders to address their safety concerns. The 2027 general election, he said, “will not be an exception.”

According to him, deployments are being increased, and the Inspector-General of Police has ordered that operational equipment and logistics be distributed immediately.

“We will do everything within our capacity to ensure that those assisting in the democratic process are adequately protected,” Iniedu said.

Warning on hate speech

The police spokesman also warned politicians against hate speech and incitement. He said about 11 cases of hate speech had been documented and acted on, and that the Inspector-General had directed all Commissioners of Police to arrest and prosecute offenders promptly.

“Hate speech and incitement are criminal offences,” he said. He added that complaint channels had been set up so members of the public can report any Commissioner of Police who fails to act.

Separately, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, told a United Nations delegation on Tuesday that the force was ready to secure the elections even if they were held immediately. He said officers were being trained and retrained on election security, in partnership with the Army, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.

The assurances come amid complaints from opposition parties about attacks on their members. The African Democratic Congress (ADC) in Sokoto State alleged that its governorship candidate's convoy was attacked on October 30, while the APC dismissed the claim. In Ekiti State, African Action Congress (AAC) presidential candidate Omoyele Sowore alleged that armed men attacked him and his team; the police said preliminary information pointed to an altercation with unidentified persons and opened an investigation. The Ekiti State Government denied involvement.

Observers have questioned how well past promises translated into protection. A joint report by the International Republican Institute and the National Democratic Institute, using ACLED data, recorded 274 election-related violence incidents and 348 deaths in 2023.

What happens next: The police say equipment distribution and extra deployments are already under way. Corps members posted for the 2027 elections will be watching to see whether that protection reaches them on the ground.