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The Lagos State Police Command and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) have warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against electoral violence, voter intimidation and other acts capable of threatening public peace ahead of the 2027 general election.
The warning was issued yesterday, October 15, 2026, at a stakeholder security conference convened by the Lagos State Police Command to strengthen collaboration among security agencies, electoral officials, political parties and other stakeholders in preparation for the elections.
The conference was presided over by the Commissioner of Police, CP Fatai Tijani, and attended by the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami; Commander of Nigerian Navy Ship Beecroft, Commodore Aiwuyor Adams-Aliyu; representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force and Department of State Services (DSS), as well as transport and youth associations, chairmen, candidates and representatives of registered political parties.
Tijani declared that the command would not tolerate electoral violence, political thuggery, voter intimidation or any conduct capable of disrupting the electoral process. He assured residents that adequate security measures would be put in place to protect voters and enable eligible citizens to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
With more than seven million registered voters spread across Lagos State’s 20 local government areas, 245 registration and collation areas and 13,325 polling units, the police commissioner stressed that the state, as a major economic and industrial hub, could not afford a breakdown of law and order during the electoral process.
He said the command had strengthened intelligence gathering, crime mapping and operational planning to identify potential flashpoints, protect candidates and electoral officials, secure the movement of election materials and maintain order at polling units.
Political parties and candidates were urged to notify the police well in advance of their campaigns, rallies and other political gatherings to facilitate adequate security arrangements, effective crowd management and the prevention of inter-party clashes.
The commissioner also warned against the recruitment of thugs, destruction of opponents’ campaign posters and billboards, cyberbullying, hate speech, misinformation and the use of social media to incite violence.
He urged political leaders to discourage their supporters from engaging in unlawful activities and cautioned young people against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of electoral violence.
Tijani further called on community leaders, transport operators, market associations, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups and civil society organisations to work with the police and other security agencies to promote peaceful political participation.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to political neutrality, he said anyone found violating the law would be arrested, investigated and prosecuted, irrespective of political affiliation, status, financial resources or influence.
The police commissioner also urged journalists, bloggers and other social media users to verify information before publication and refrain from disseminating fake news, manipulated videos and inflammatory content capable of endangering lives or destabilising communities.
He disclosed that the Command was monitoring credible security threats and the activities of individuals whose actions could undermine public peace, stressing, however, that lawful political opinions, criticism and peaceful expression would not be treated as criminal offences.
Addressing political leaders who might sponsor violence, Tijani warned that responsibility for electoral offences would not be limited to those who physically carried them out.
He said anyone who mobilised, sponsored or encouraged criminal acts would be held accountable where evidence established their involvement.
The commissioner also called on residents to promptly report credible information about planned political violence, voter intimidation, threats against candidates, unlawful possession of weapons and the mobilisation of armed groups to the nearest police station, area command or appropriate police authority.
He stressed that timely reporting of security threats could save lives and prevent the destruction of property.
Tijani said: “Let me state from the outset that the Lagos State Police Command will not tolerate electoral violence, political thuggery, voter intimidation or any conduct capable of threatening public peace before, during and after the elections.
“Our mandate during this electoral period is to protect lives and property, maintain law and order, and ensure that every eligible voter can exercise their rights without fear or intimidation.
“Lagos State, with its large and diverse population and strategic economic importance, cannot afford a breakdown of law and order during the electoral process.
“According to figures provided by INEC, the state has 7,488,633 registered voters across 20 local government areas, 245 registration and collation areas, and 13,325 polling units. Conducting an electoral exercise of this magnitude requires serious planning, effective coordination and the full cooperation of every stakeholder.”
The commissioner said electoral security was a shared responsibility that required the commitment of political parties, security agencies, the media and members of the public.
He assured stakeholders that the police were prepared to provide robust security for campaigns, rallies, candidates, electoral officers, the movement of election materials, polling units and other electoral activities.
“We have undertaken crime mapping to identify areas more vulnerable to political violence, and such locations have been placed under close watch. Our intelligence and operational arrangements will be strengthened throughout the electoral period to prevent threats and respond decisively to security breaches,” he said.
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Tijani urged political parties and candidates to inform the Command of their planned campaigns and rallies well in advance, warning that no party should disregard established security arrangements and subsequently blame the police for avoidable incidents.
He said: “I hereby issue a strong warning against the recruitment or use of thugs to attack political opponents, disrupt rallies, intimidate voters or cause violence.
“The destruction of opposition campaign posters, billboards and banners must stop. I have had a series of complaints about some people trying to deface other parties’ campaign billboards and posters. They paste the posters during the day, only for some people to remove them at night. This must stop. Anybody found culpable will definitely face the law.”
He maintained that political rivalry was not a licence for criminality and warned that no individual or group would be permitted to take the law into their hands.
“Anyone who engages in electoral violence will be arrested, investigated and prosecuted in accordance with the law, irrespective of political affiliation, status or influence,” he said.
The commissioner also cautioned against hate speech, misinformation, disinformation and the deliberate circulation of fake news, manipulated videos and inflammatory content on social media.
He urged political actors, bloggers, journalists and social media users to verify information before publication and avoid spreading content capable of inciting unlawful conduct.
While warning that the Command would monitor credible threats to public peace and security, Tijani emphasised that lawful political opinions, criticism and peaceful expression were not criminal offences.
He added: “No one should assume that political influence, public prominence, financial resources or affiliation with any political party will provide protection from lawful investigation or prosecution.
“Equally, no one will be penalised merely for expressing a lawful opinion. Our actions will be guided by the law, evidence and professional standards.”
Tijani further warned political leaders against mobilising or sponsoring young people to perpetrate violence, stressing that anyone found to have participated in or encouraged criminal acts would be dealt with in accordance with the law.
He urged residents to report credible threats promptly rather than wait until violence occurred, noting that timely information could prevent loss of lives and destruction of property.
The commissioner called on transport operators, market leaders, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community associations and civil society organisations to use their influence to discourage violence, promote tolerance and support lawful security measures.
“Let there be no doubt about the position of the Lagos State Police Command. We will remain professional and impartial, but we will be firm and decisive in dealing with electoral offences.
“We will not serve the interests of any political party or candidate, and we will not permit anyone to exploit the electoral period to threaten the peace and security of Lagos State.
“Political parties must control their supporters, security agencies must work in cooperation, the media must report responsibly, and members of the public must promptly report credible threats.
“The 2027 general elections must not become an opportunity for violence, intimidation or lawlessness. The peace of Lagos State is non-negotiable, and the Command will take all lawful measures necessary to protect it.
“Our message is clear: participate peacefully, obey the law and respect the rights of others. Anyone who chooses violence must be prepared to face the consequences of their actions under the law,” he said.
Speaking at the conference, the Lagos State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Ayobami Salami, urged political parties and other stakeholders to collaborate with INEC and security agencies to ensure peaceful elections in the state.
Salami noted that Lagos had maintained a record of peaceful political participation and called on political leaders to sustain the atmosphere by promoting tolerance and working with electoral officials.
He assured the stakeholders that INEC was prepared to conduct an election that would inspire public confidence, adding that every vote would count and the will of the electorate would prevail.
“I want to appeal to all of us to maintain peace in Lagos so that we can all be proud of the electoral process.
“I want to assure you that INEC, as the electoral umpire, will conduct an election that everyone will be proud of. I also want to assure you that everyone’s vote will count and the will of the people will prevail at the end of the day,” Salami said.
He urged political gladiators, party supporters and other stakeholders to cooperate with INEC and security agencies to sustain peace before, during and after the 2027 general elections.
