Nigerian police warnings against electoral violence

Nigerian police leadership has launched advocacy campaigns to prevent political and digital violence in anticipation of the 2027 general elections. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu initiated the effort through the ‘My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery’ campaign. During a dialogue in Abuja, Disu warned youths against being recruited for electoral violence and cautioned against ‘digital thuggery’, noting that young people face lasting legal and physical consequences while politicians often reconcile after elections.

In Lagos, Commissioner of Police Fatai Tijani expanded this focus by inaugurating the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery. During a police-youth dialogue in Ikeja, Tijani urged the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to ensure motor parks and garages are not used for intimidation. He tasked union leaders with disciplining members to protect their organizations' reputations and warned youths against using social media to ‘harass, intimidate, or incite violence’.

In the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Deputy Commissioner of Police Isyaku Sharu issued warnings against hate speech and violence during a ‘Show of Force Patrol’ across the Karmo-Gwagwa-DeiDei and Gwarimpa axes. Sharu emphasized that security agencies require stakeholder cooperation, stating that ‘no political victory justifies the loss of human life’. Expanding on these enforcement efforts, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Anietie Iniedu warned political stakeholders that making inciting remarks is a criminal offense. During a joint briefing in Abuja with military and intelligence agencies, Iniedu revealed that several individuals—including a Senator from Osun State, the Kuje Area Council Chairman, and a Commissioner in Borno State—are currently under investigation for making inciting comments. In Sokoto State, Commissioner of Police Hayatu Hassan Shafa has also issued warnings to political parties, emphasizing that elections must be a contest of ideas rather than force.