The Plateau State Police Command has secured approval for additional personnel and logistics ahead of the 2027 general elections, as security agencies move to prevent electoral violence in the state.
The Commissioner of Police, Faniyan Ayodeji, disclosed this on Thursday at a stakeholders’ meeting with political parties and election candidates at the Police Officers’ Mess in Jos.
Representatives of the Department of State Services, the Independent National Electoral Commission, the Nigerian Army, the National Orientation Agency and the Inter-Party Advisory Council attended the meeting.
Ayodeji said the Inspector-General of Police had been briefed on the state’s security situation and approved reinforcements to address potential threats as political activities intensify.
He said the command was working with other security agencies to identify flashpoints, gather intelligence and develop plans to protect candidates, political parties and voters.
“We have observed some flashpoints in terms of insecurity, and as the election period approaches, a lot of attention and focus is being directed toward Plateau State. Our duty as security agencies is to disappoint those who are expecting or predicting violence,” he said.
The police commissioner identified vote-buying, political thuggery, hate speech, incitement, internal party disputes and the misuse of artificial intelligence and social media as potential threats to peaceful elections.
He urged political parties and their supporters to comply with the Electoral Act, warning against campaigns capable of provoking violence or intimidation.
“Election is not a do-or-die affair. Election should not ignite violence. Election should not divide us,” Ayodeji said, adding that voters should be allowed to make their choices freely.
He also assured political stakeholders that the police would remain neutral and deploy patrol vehicles for rapid response, while intelligence operations would target individuals seeking to exploit electoral tensions.
The Plateau State Director of the DSS, Paul Damian, said the Service would work with other agencies to maintain security but stressed that political actors and electoral officials also had responsibilities.
He argued that responsible conduct by politicians and INEC would reduce the need for security personnel to be deployed everywhere.
The State Director of the National Orientation Agency, Kaneng Tabitha Pam-Hworo, urged political parties to encourage their members to collect their Permanent Voter Cards and reject vote-buying.
She also cautioned politicians against spreading fake news, engaging in character assassination or hiring thugs to disrupt voting.
Pam-Hworo said party leaders must prepare their supporters to accept the outcome of the election and maintain peace regardless of the result.
Meanwhile, INEC reaffirmed its readiness to conduct a peaceful, free and transparent election in the state.
The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Sam Egwu, who was represented by the Head of Electoral Operations, said preparations were nearing completion.
He added that the commission was working to ensure that persons with disabilities and internally displaced persons could participate in the election.
According to him, INEC has identified eight to nine local government areas facing challenges involving internally displaced persons, including Wase, Mangu, Barkin Ladi, Bokkos and Bassa. The commission is also working with organisations to facilitate voting by displaced residents.
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