The Nigeria Police Force will use its sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers to design a full security plan for the 2027 general elections. The goal is to align policing strategy with the realities of modern elections and ensure safety across all stages of the process.
The three-day meeting is scheduled for September 21 to 23, 2026, in Owerri, Imo State. The theme is “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.” Organizers say the location and timing were chosen to give commanders enough lead time to test and deploy new approaches.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, announced the details during a press briefing in Abuja on Tuesday. He said the retreat will bring together senior police commanders, security experts and other stakeholders to review emerging threats and agree on operational tactics for free, peaceful and credible elections. 
Discussions will center on intelligence-led policing, stronger police-community partnerships, and the use of digital tools. Iniedu noted that artificial intelligence and other contemporary methods will be explored to improve planning, monitoring and response before, during and after the polls.
A key outcome will be actionable plans to protect voters, electoral officials, candidates, election materials and the general public. The Force wants clear protocols that can be rolled out nationwide, with roles defined for every command.
Iniedu framed the initiative within a wider push for institutional reform and professionalisation. “The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to professionalising its personnel to guarantee a peaceful, safe and secure atmosphere for the country’s next major election,” he said.
Shina Philips, Managing Director and CEO of Lenders Consult International, said his firm has handled sponsorship and logistics since approval was granted to organize the event. He described the conference as part of the company’s support for the “selfless and patriotic work” of the police, and noted that the forum has grown over the years to attract international participants and expose Nigerian policing to global best practices.
Philips thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Force Management Team for backing the program since 2019, and also appreciated Imo State Governor, Senator Hope Uzodimma, for hosting for the third time. The conference is expected to draw senior officers, security professionals and policymakers who will deliberate on new challenges and finalize preparations for the 2027 elections.
