The Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, on Monday, met with strategic managers of the Nigeria Police Force comprising Deputy Inspectors-General of Police and members of the Force Management Team, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, and Commissioners of Police across the nation at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja on the forthcoming general elections.

The conference, which is the first for the year 2023, was targeted at reviewing the internal security of the country and reassessing the NPF’s strategies towards the elections. 

Baba tasked the strategic police managers to safeguard the public space for the elections in active synergy with other security agencies. The conference later turned into a closed-door, while journalists were excused.

Coming out of the closed door on Monday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Olumuyiwa Adejobi, in a statement, said the IG tasked the police chiefs to jettison personal interests for the national interest.

The IG also warned all officers to remain apolitical in ensuring free, fair and credible elections. A training session on election security management was later organised by the IG for the senior police officers at the IGPs Conference Hall.

The President Muhammadu Buhari on Monday told the leadership of the NPF and Military Chiefs that Nigerians and the global community are watching them, as they have high expectations of them to provide adequate security in ensuring peaceful conduct of the forthcoming 2023 general elections. 

He commended the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Baba, for advancing the police reform agenda of his administration and for several other initiatives he had brought to the Force. 

He also commended the efforts of the IG in advancing the commitment of his administration to a reformed, modernized, fully equipped, highly motivated and citizens-focused police force that is re-oriented to the virtues of professionalism, respect for the rule of law, due process, operational efficiency and best international practices in policing the nation.