INEC seeks police support on election security in Niger

Oliver Ter Msoo Agundu, Resident Electoral Commissioner of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Niger State, has solicited the support of the State Police Command towards achieving Commission’s mandate of ensuring adequate security before, during and after the 2027 general elections.

Agundu made the appeal during a courtesy visit to the State Police Headquarters, Dutsen-Kura, Minna, where he formally informed the Commissioner of Police of his assumption of duty and updated the Command on INEC activities in the State.

The REC acknowledged the strategic role of the state Commissioner of Police, Adamu Abdullahi Elleman, as Co-chairman of the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), stressing the importance of collaboration with the Police in carrying out INEC’s statutory responsibilities.

Agundu disclosed that the second phase of voter registration had been concluded, while the third phase, aimed at mopping up the exercise, was ongoing and would soon be completed.

He also highlighted the timetable for political parties’ primaries and consensus processes, noting the need for adequate security coverage to prevent political unrest.

The REC further requested a security brief from the Police to aid effective planning ahead of the elections.

In a statement signed by Wasiu Abiodun, Niger State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), the Commissioner of Police expressed delight at receiving the REC and his entourage, while reaffirming the role of the Police as the lead agency in election security management.

Elleman noted that the Police would continue to collaborate with other security agencies, emphasizing that no single agency could effectively manage election security alone.

He assured the REC of the Command’s support and cooperation in achieving the desired objectives, adding that “together, we shall achieve free, fair and credible elections in Niger State.”