The Nigeria Police Force has pledged to provide adequate protection for members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) and other ad‑hoc staff who will be involved in the 2027 general elections.
Force Public Relations Officer CSP Aniete Iniedu made the statement at a joint media briefing of the Forum of Security and Intelligence Agencies, organised by the Office of the National Security Adviser. He was responding to growing concerns over reported abductions of corps members in various parts of the country, a group that is expected to form a significant part of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC) temporary workforce.
Iniedu said the police had carried out an extensive threat assessment and were tightening security arrangements to safeguard electoral personnel, materials and the overall conduct of the polls. He added that these measures would be carried out in collaboration with other security agencies before, during and after the elections.
“During the Osun State election, for instance, we engaged corps members, their parents and other stakeholders and assured them of our commitment to providing adequate security for all ad‑hoc personnel. We came out unscathed. The forthcoming general election will not be an exception,” he said.
The police are working closely with sister agencies and INEC to strengthen protection for corps members and other staff. Deployments are being increased, and the Inspector‑General of Police has directed the immediate distribution of operational equipment and logistics.
Iniedu also warned political actors against hate speech, incitement and other forms of political violence that could undermine the electoral process. He said the police have documented 11 cases of hate speech and have taken action in response. “Hate speech and incitement are criminal offences. The Inspector‑General has directed all Commissioners of Police to ensure the immediate arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in such acts,” he added.
To complement enforcement, the police have established complaint channels that allow members of the public to report Commissioners of Police who fail to take appropriate action against offenders. “We will be taking decisive action against offenders. We have also established complaint channels to ensure that where a Commissioner of Police fails to take appropriate action, such failures can be reported and addressed,” Iniedu said.
<small>Source: Vanguard News — read the original story there.</small>
