Army Assures INEC of Security Against Political Thugs

The Nigerian Army has assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of security support ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to Donjoe Media findings, the assurance was given in Kaduna, not in Abuja, and not by the Defence Headquarters. It came from the General Officer Commanding (GOC), 1 Division, Nigerian Army, Major General Abubakar Sadique Muhammad Wase.

Wase gave the assurance on Wednesday, November 4, 2026, when INEC’s Administrative Secretary, Abba Yahaya, who is acting as the State Electoral Commissioner, paid him a courtesy visit at the Headquarters of 1 Division in Kaduna.

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In a statement by Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, 1 Division, Wase said troops would provide outer-perimeter security during the elections. He said they would maintain professionalism, neutrality, and a non-partisan posture.

He said: “The Nigerian Army is committed to providing the necessary security support to INEC to ensure peaceful elections. Our troops will focus on providing outer-perimeter security while maintaining strict political neutrality.”

Wase also said security arrangements had made all local government areas in Kaduna State accessible and safe for the conduct of elections. He urged INEC to intensify voter education and ensure its ad hoc staff understood the respective responsibilities of security agencies deployed for election duties.

Yahaya said his visit was part of INEC’s engagement with critical stakeholders in Kaduna State. He commended the working relationship between INEC and security agencies, particularly the Army, and called for stronger collaboration.

That is the verified core of this story. It is a Kaduna-specific assurance for the 2027 elections. It is not a nationwide deployment order by the Chief of Defence Staff.

Separately, the Nigeria Police Force has ordered a nationwide crackdown on campaign vandalism.

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed Commissioners of Police across the 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory to take proactive measures against the growing destruction of campaign billboards, posters, and banners. He warned that offenders, including sponsors, would be arrested and prosecuted.

The police warning came amid growing political activities ahead of the 2027 elections, and after reports of intimidation and destruction of opponents’ campaign materials in several states.

On Thursday, November 5, 2026, at a joint security briefing hosted by the Office of the National Security Adviser (ONSA) in Abuja, Police spokesman CSP Anietie Iniedu said pre-election violence and hate speech are criminal offences. He said the police had completed threat assessments and were strengthening protection for INEC staff and NYSC members deployed as ad hoc personnel.

That protection matters. There have been recent abductions involving corps members in Ogun and Imo states. INEC Chairman, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has warned that anyone who threatens, intimidates, or harms INEC ad hoc staff, NYSC members, or permanent personnel will be tracked down and prosecuted.

INEC has also unveiled a new framework to prevent violence. It is called the “ICCES Tentacle”. It extends security coordination from national and state headquarters down to local government areas and Registration Area Centres. It works through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), which includes Police, NSCDC, DSS, Armed Forces, and other paramilitary agencies.

The framework has three parts: “Map and Mitigate”, “Ensure Safety”, and “Guarantee Access”. It uses Electoral Risk Management tools to identify flashpoints early, protect voters, personnel, and BVAS devices, and ensure all 176,846 polling units remain safe and accessible.

INEC has scheduled the presidential and National Assembly elections for January 16, 2027, while governorship and State Houses of Assembly elections are slated for February 6, 2027.

The urgency is real. On Wednesday, November 4, suspected thugs attacked the convoy of Peter Obi, presidential candidate of the Nigeria Democratic Congress (NDC), in Calabar, Cross River State. The attack happened at about 2:20 p.m. at Watt Market Roundabout. A viral video showed attackers in black shirts and face coverings using machetes to damage vehicles. Obi was returning from the palace of the Obong of Calabar to Metropolitan Hotel for a town hall meeting.

The United Nations has also called for violence-free elections. Leonardo Santos Simao, UN Special Representative for West Africa and the Sahel, made the appeal during a courtesy visit to INEC in Abuja on Wednesday. He said Nigeria’s 2027 elections would have implications beyond its borders.

For voters, the message from security agencies is clear. The Army will stay on the outer perimeter. The Police are the lead agency for election security. Thugs and their sponsors will be arrested. But voters must also report threats early, through official channels, not only on social media.

Donjoe Media will continue to monitor INEC’s security preparations and the Police crackdown on campaign vandalism.

For official election information, see https://www.inecnigeria.org/.

By Jonadab Oluikpe
Publish by Donjoe Media