Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu has commended the Chief Executive Officer of Lenders Consult, Dr Shina Phillips, for the professional organisation and coordination of the 2026 Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO).

Disu gave the commendation while reflecting on the conference in Owerri, Imo State, where senior police officers, retired police chiefs, security experts and other stakeholders examined national security and preparations for the 2027 general elections. 

The Inspector-General praised Phillips for ensuring the smooth running and professional presentation of the programme, noting that the conference had progressed without hitches.

He also commended Lenders Consult for putting together what he described as an impressive programme and expressed satisfaction with the calibre of lecturers, facilitators and experts assembled for the engagement. 

According to Disu, his initial concerns about the programme were allayed after he witnessed the quality and depth of the experts participating in the conference.

He particularly highlighted the participation of retired senior police officers, including two former Inspectors-General of Police, whose experience provided serving officers with perspectives on policing, national security and electoral security. 

The IGP singled out former Inspector-General Usman Alkali Baba for drawing from his experience during the 2023 general elections to provide participants with practical insights and advice on managing security and electoral challenges.

Disu said Baba also encouraged participants to return to their respective communities and replicate the engagement, mentorship and knowledge-sharing experienced at CARSPO.

The IGP said such interaction between serving and retired officers was valuable because it allows institutional experience from previous electoral cycles to inform preparations for future challenges.

He described the lectures delivered during the conference as stimulating, didactic and educative, adding that participating police officers were pleased to be part of the programme. 

CARSPO 2026 provided a platform for discussions on contemporary security challenges, operational preparedness and election security ahead of the 2027 general elections. 

The conference also brought together stakeholders from different areas of security and public administration, with discussions focusing on lessons from previous electoral exercises and strategies for improving preparedness.

Disu’s commendation of Phillips and Lenders Consult underscores the organisers’ role in facilitating the exchange of professional knowledge and institutional experience during the conference.

The engagement comes as security agencies and other stakeholders continue preparations for the 2027 elections, with the protection of lives, property and the integrity of the electoral process remaining central to security planning.