The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has cancelled the leave of police officers assigned to election security duties ahead of Nigeria’s 2027 general elections and ordered an intensified nationwide crackdown on banditry.   Disu also directed the immediate deployment of additional police personnel, operational vehicles and air support to communities affected by bandit attacks. He gave Commissioners of Police in affected states 72 hours to submit updated security threat assessments and operational requirements to Force Headquarters. The directives were announced on Wednesday during the monthly conference of strategic senior officers of the Nigeria Police Force in Abuja. The police chief acknowledged that bandit attacks remained ongoing in some states, stressing the need for intelligence-led operations and stronger collaboration with local communities. He directed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations to coordinate the deployment of additional personnel and equipment to affected areas in consultation with the relevant police commands. Disu also instructed police commands to strengthen intelligence gathering by engaging traditional rulers, village heads, hunters’ associations and local vigilante groups. He said communities must have the confidence to provide information that could help security agencies identify and apprehend bandits. IG restricts police officers’ movement ahead of 2027 elections On preparations for the 2027 general elections, Disu announced the immediate cancellation of leave for all officers and men assigned to election security duties. He also directed Commissioners of Police and other senior officers to remain within their respective commands until the conclusion of the electoral process. According to him, any senior officer seeking to travel outside their area of responsibility must obtain express approval from Force Headquarters. The IGP further ordered police commands to verify the readiness of election security equipment, communication facilities, operational vehicles and protective gear, with reports due before the end of the week. He directed Commissioners of Police to establish direct coordination with the Independent National Electoral Commission, the military, the Department of State Services and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps. Disu warned officers against allowing politicians to use them to compromise the electoral process, facilitate thuggery or interfere with voters’ rights. He stressed that the police would remain non-partisan and provide equal protection to candidates, political parties, supporters and eligible voters, regardless of their political affiliations. He warned that officers found colluding with political actors or undermining the integrity of elections would face disciplinary action in accordance with the law. Police arrest 218 suspected bandits, rescue 95 kidnap victims Meanwhile, Disu disclosed that the police had arrested 218 suspects for banditry and terrorism since the last strategic officers’ conference. The Force also arrested 85 suspected armed robbers, 129 suspects for murder and culpable homicide, 59 suspected kidnappers and 120 suspected cultists. He added that police operations within the period led to the rescue of 95 kidnap victims and the recovery of 306 assorted firearms, 630 rounds of ammunition of various calibres and 116 stolen vehicles. The IGP commended officers involved in the operations, acknowledging their contributions to the achievements recorded by the Force. IG orders payment of fallen officers’ benefits Disu also directed Commissioners of Police to ensure the immediate payment of outstanding death benefits and entitlements owed to families of officers killed in the line of duty. He instructed commissioners to personally verify pending cases in their commands, stressing that families of fallen personnel should not be left without support. Additionally, he ordered a welfare audit across police commands to identify outstanding entitlements, accommodation challenges and other pressing welfare needs. The reports are expected to reach his office within 30 days. The police chief also urged senior officers to strengthen supervision, discipline and operational effectiveness while warning against corruption, extortion, abuse of authority and unlawful use of force.