The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has said the Nigeria Police Force will collaborate with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) to investigate vote-buying and voter inducement during the 2027 general elections.

Disu stated this on Monday at the opening ceremony of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO 2026) in Owerri, Imo State.

The IGP said the Police would go beyond arresting suspects involved in electoral offences by ensuring that investigations were properly conducted and cases prosecuted.

“Arrest is not enough. We will work with INEC, the EFCC and the ICPC to investigate vote-buying and inducement, and with prosecutors so that those arrested face trial, not just headlines,” he said.

“Impunity is the greatest encouragement to electoral crime.”

The planned collaboration comes ahead of the 2027 general elections, with the Presidential and National Assembly elections scheduled for January 16, 2027, while the Governorship and State Assembly elections are scheduled for February 6, 2027.

Disu said securing the elections would require close cooperation among the Police, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), other security agencies and relevant institutions.

“No agency secures an election alone, so we will hold joint exercises with INEC and sister agencies and set clear lines of command and communication before an incident, not after,” he said.

He added that the Police would deploy intelligence and early-warning systems to identify potential electoral flashpoints and criminal networks ahead of the elections.

“Our intelligence and early warning systems must be fully activated, with flashpoints and criminal networks mapped now,” Disu said.

“Commissioners must know their communities, and credible intelligence must reach command in time to act.”

The IGP also identified election-related disinformation as a potential source of unrest, saying the Police would monitor false information capable of triggering violence.

“Falsehood now travels faster than any patrol. Fake results, forged police statements and inflammatory videos can spark violence before we arrive,” he said.

“We will monitor and counter election disinformation quickly, correct it with facts and pursue those who deliberately incite violence online.”

Disu also warned politicians and their supporters against electoral offences, including vote-buying and voter inducement.

“Do not hire mobs, buy votes, move arms or threaten voters and electoral officials. The Police will act against anyone who does, whatever their status,” he said.

He assured Nigerians that the Police would remain neutral throughout the electoral process and would not determine political outcomes.

“We protect citizens and enforce the law. We do not decide political outcomes. We will be firm against violence, but always within the law,” he said.

The IGP further directed every Commissioner of Police to publish an official contact number through which members of the public could reach them.

“A Commissioner of Police the public cannot reach cannot understand the public’s fears,” he said.