The Imo State Government will be hosting Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers (CARSPO) 2026 as a major platform for security cooperation, local business growth, infrastructure and national development ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The sixth Conference and Retreat for Senior Police Officers brings senior police officers, government officials, security experts and delegates to Imo State.
The three-day conference, billed for September 21 to 23, 2026, is themed, “Developing a Nigeria Police Roadmap for Effective Management of Security During Elections.”
The influx of visitors is expected to creating demand for hotels, transport, logistics, telecommunications and retail services. Local transport operators, food vendors, laundry businesses and artisans also stand to gain.
The event will also highlight the Sam Mbakwe International Cargo Airport in Ngor Okpala as a key transit hub for trade, tourism and investment across the South-East.
The state’s role goes beyond hosting the conference. The state will be using CARSPO 2026 to strengthen police partnerships, support local crime-fighting strategies and improve security planning ahead of the 2027 elections.
The gathering will also supports upgrades in roads, traffic management, telecommunications and emergency response systems. It will further give senior police officers exposure to security challenges outside Abuja.
Speaking, the Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of Lenders Consult International, Shina Philips, said that spending on CARSPO is an investment in security and economic activity.
He noted safe communities give businesses room to operate, support nightlife and create better conditions for investment.
According to him, the conference will provide a platform for intelligence sharing, community policing discussions and stronger cooperation among security agencies.
He added that Imo’s approach could offer a model for rotating national conferences across Nigerian states, adding that such events can spread economic activity, strengthen federal-state security ties and reinforce shared responsibility for national security.
However, the lasting value of CARSPO 2026 will depend on what remains after the event. These gains include stronger security structures, sustained local businesses, better infrastructure and greater national visibility for Imo State.
