Inspector General of Police Usman Baba announced that the Nigeria Police Force recorded 489 major electoral infractions during the February 25 presidential and March 18 governorship elections. He made the disclosure at a meeting with senior police officers held at the Goodluck Jonathan Peacekeeping Centre, Force Headquarters in Abuja. Attendees included Deputy Inspectors‑General of Police, Assistant Inspectors‑General of Police, Commissioners of Police and other members of the Force Management Team.
Baba reported that across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, the infractions led to the arrest of 781 offenders and the recovery of at least 66 firearms of various descriptions. A breakdown shows 185 major offences during the presidential and National Assembly elections, resulting in 203 arrests and the seizure of 18 firearms. In the governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections, 304 offences were recorded, leading to 578 arrests and the recovery of 48 firearms.
Emphasising accountability, Baba assured that the culprits would be prosecuted and that the police would collaborate closely with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure swift and transparent legal action. He said this effort serves both criminal justice and the broader goal of sanitising Nigeria’s democratic space.
Earlier, the police reported the arrest of 161 suspects—including a federal lawmaker—in Kano State during the March 18 elections. Additional arrests were made in Rivers, Ogun, Enugu, Abia, Edo and Lagos states, among others. Some cases are being handled by state police commands, while others have been referred to INEC’s Legal Department for prosecution.
Speaking at the same conference, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Olumuyiwa Adejobi explained that the meeting also aimed to evaluate police performance during the 2023 general elections, highlight lessons and strengths, and analyse complex dynamics to improve future performance.
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