The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Jimoh, has assured residents of Lagos and Ogun that the police were fully prepared to secure the 2027 general election, urging citizens not to entertain fear.

Jimoh gave the assurance in Lagos while receiving the 2026 Outstanding Excellence in Security Leadership Award from the Integrity Youth Alliance, Abuja.

He said the service, under the leadership of Inspector General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, had drawn up a broad-based security plan covering the pre-election period, campaign activities and the conduct of the polls.

He said the plan was built around intelligence gathering, threat analysis, training and continuous engagement with political parties, candidates and community leaders.

“There is no need for anybody to entertain fear. The IGP is putting everything in place to ensure adequate security across the country,” he said.

Jimoh said IGP Disu had directed Commissioners of Police (CPs), AIGs and Deputy Inspectors-General (DIGs) to guarantee adequate security for all stakeholders in the electoral process, noting that early training programmes had already begun to equip officers for election duties.

He said the police commands were also working with sister agencies through the consultative committee on election security, which meet regularly to identify and address potential threats, adding that the force would continue engaging stakeholders to ensure a level playing field for political parties, candidates and supporters.

On the festive period, Jimoh said the police and other security agencies had intensified supervision and operations to manage increased human and vehicular movement and safeguard the public.

Speaking on public confidence in the force, Jimoh said the police had mechanisms for investigating and sanctioning erring officers, and he urged members of the public to report misconduct allegations through appropriate channels.

“The same law that the citizens are subjected to, the same law that we too are subjected to,” he said, urging Nigerians not to let isolated cases involving individual officers undermine confidence in the police.

He also cautioned against declaring suspects guilty before investigations and judicial proceedings were concluded, stressing that while police could arrest and investigate suspects, only a competent court could determine guilt.

“Everybody that is alleged of an offence should have their day in court,” he said, urging Nigerians to respect due process and allow investigations and court proceedings to run their course.

Jimoh reiterated that the police would continue strengthening ties with communities and stakeholders while deploying intelligence-led strategies to protect lives and property. (The Nation)