The Kogi State Police Command has warned politicians and political parties against violence, illegal possession of arms, unregistered vehicles, substance abuse and other acts capable of undermining peace and electoral integrity ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Nasir Bello Kankarofi, issued the warning on Tuesday in Lokoja while speaking at the signing of a peace accord by the leadership of 19 registered political parties in the state.
Kankarofi, who is also Co-Chairman of the Inter-Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), urged political actors to abide by the rules and work towards peaceful, free, fair and credible elections.
He said the command would not wait for electoral violence to occur before taking action, stressing that security agencies had adopted a proactive approach by identifying potential threats, forecasting possible scenarios and implementing preventive measures.
According to him, security operations would be intensified as political campaigns gather momentum, particularly against unregistered vehicles, vehicles suspected of conveying arms and those displaying unauthorised political inscriptions or candidates’ photographs on number plates.
The commissioner disclosed that the command had already commenced operations against improperly registered vehicles across the state, adding that the exercise would be intensified as the 2027 elections draw closer.
He explained that proper vehicle identification would assist security agencies in tracking movements and preventing vehicles from being used to perpetrate electoral offences.
Kankarofi also warned political parties and their supporters against the use of illicit drugs and intoxicating substances during political activities, stressing that the law would be enforced against anyone whose actions threaten public safety.
On the conduct of police officers during the elections, Kankarofi assured stakeholders that the Police Service Commission and the Inspector-General of Police had put mechanisms in place to ensure professionalism, discipline and neutrality.
He said police personnel would undergo specialised training ahead of the elections, with emphasis on their code of conduct and guidelines governing their duties during the electoral period.
The commissioner also highlighted the critical role of youths in preventing electoral violence, noting that young people constitute a significant segment of the political population and are often at the centre of election-related crises.
He announced plans to establish a special engagement platform involving political party youth wings and security agencies to discuss expectations, responsibilities and acceptable conduct before and during the elections.
“We are definitely going to do that because that’s the most agile part of the population,” Kankarofi said, noting that youths were often involved in crises associated with political campaigns and other activities.
He said sustained dialogue with party youths would enable security agencies to better understand their concerns while helping the youths appreciate the consequences of actions capable of disrupting public peace.
Kankarofi also assured journalists of adequate security protection throughout the electioneering period and beyond.
He described journalists as indispensable partners in promoting democracy, transparency and accountability, as well as partners in security operations.
He urged politicians, political parties, supporters and other stakeholders to respect the peace accord and electoral laws, warning that security agencies would take decisive action against anyone who attempts to turn Kogi’s political space into a theatre of violence.
Another ICCES Co-Chairman and Kogi State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dr Shehu Wahab, said the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had put measures in place to ensure free, fair, peaceful and credible elections in the state.
Wahab urged politicians, political parties and other stakeholders to embrace peace and make the conduct of credible elections their collective priority.
The peace accord is expected to strengthen the commitment of political parties and other stakeholders to peaceful campaigns and a credible electoral process ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Representatives of the Nigeria Correctional Service, Nigeria Customs Service, Federal Road Safety Corps, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Council of Ulama, Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Department of State Services (DSS), Federal Fire Service and other stakeholders attended the event.
(The Reporters)
