2027 Elections: Police vow to prevent violence in Plateau

The Plateau State Police Command has pledged adequate security ahead of the 2027 elections, assuring residents that security agencies will prevent violence and protect the electoral process.

The Commissioner of Police, Faniyan Ayodeji, gave the assurance on Thursday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos. Representatives of the Department of State Services DSS, the Independent National Electoral Commission INEC, the Nigerian Army, the National Orientation Agency NOA and the Inter-Party Advisory Council IPAC attended the meeting.

Ayodeji acknowledged concerns about Plateau State becoming a flashpoint during the elections but said the command had begun preparations to address potential threats.

“We have identified areas of insecurity, and as the election approaches, Plateau State is receiving increased attention. Our responsibility as security agencies is to disappoint those expecting or predicting violence,” he said.

He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police had received a briefing on the state’s security situation and approved additional personnel and logistics to address emerging challenges.

According to him, the police are working with other security agencies to gather intelligence, identify potential hotspots and prevent election-related violence and other crimes.

The commissioner listed vote-buying, thuggery, hate speech, incitement, intra-party and inter-party conflicts, and the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media as threats the command would monitor.

He urged political parties and their candidates to comply with the Electoral Act, warning against conduct capable of disrupting campaigns or threatening public peace.

“Elections are not a do-or-die affair and should not cause violence or divide the people. Political parties should campaign peacefully and allow voters to make their choices on election day,” Ayodeji said.

He also reaffirmed the police commitment to neutrality, adding that the command had sufficient personnel to cover polling units across the state. Patrol vehicles would support rapid response, while intelligence operations would target individuals seeking to exploit electoral tensions.

The Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian, also pledged cooperation with other security agencies to ensure peaceful elections.

Damian said political parties and INEC could reduce security challenges by performing their responsibilities properly and urged all stakeholders to act responsibly.

Similarly, the State Director of the NOA, Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, urged political parties to encourage their supporters to collect their Permanent Voter Cards PVCs and reject vote-buying.

She warned politicians against spreading fake news, engaging in character assassination or inciting violence for political advantage.

Pam-Hworo also urged party leaders to control their supporters, noting that violence at polling units could lead to the cancellation of results.

She called on candidates to accept the election outcome in good faith, stressing that maintaining peace would remain important after the polls.

Meanwhile, the Plateau State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Sam Egwu, represented by the Head of Electoral Operations, said INEC was almost done with its preparations for a peaceful, free and transparent election.

The commission also plans to make the electoral process inclusive for persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons IDPs.

The INEC representative identified Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Bassa among the local government areas where the commission had identified challenges involving displaced residents.

He urged stakeholders to provide information about IDPs in other areas to help the commission extend voting arrangements to eligible displaced voters.