Commissioner of Police Ayodeji Faniyan urged Plateau State officers to avoid partisan conduct and protect residents’ rights ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 elections, BusinessDay reported after a Thursday conference in Jos.
At the command’s monthly conference on Oct. 29, officers reviewed recent operations and considered security challenges, BusinessDay reported. Faniyan told them the command would act against extortion, brutality, discourtesy, misuse of authority and partisan policing.
Faniyan tasked Area Commanders, Squadron Commanders and Divisional Police Officers with closer coordination among security agencies to support peace across Plateau during the ember months. Separately, he called on officers across the state to engage more with communities to support crime prevention and detection, backed by stronger intelligence work and quicker responses to security threats.
Faniyan said residents who encounter misconduct could contact the command’s X-Squad, Public Relations Office or another complaints channel. He also encouraged the public to share reliable information that could help police maintain order, the report said.
Police preparations for the vote have also included training. The Nigeria Police Force began a five-day election-security course for 10,000 officers on Oct. 22, with its first phase covering 18 states and the Federal Capital Territory, according to a force statement attributed to Force Public Relations Officer Ani Iniedu. The statement said the force planned a 24-hour complaints line for reports about officers assigned to election duty, but gave no phone number or launch date.
The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for Jan. 16, 2027. Governorship and State House of Assembly elections are set for Feb. 6.
