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IGP Olatunji Disu deploys DIG Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate police security operations for Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
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Senior police officers spread across Osun’s three senatorial districts to lead intelligence-driven operations and ensure rapid response to security threats.
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Police warn ballot snatchers, political thugs, vote buyers and anyone plotting electoral violence that offenders will face immediate arrest and prosecution.
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Armed escorts, private security personnel, vigilante groups and other unauthorised security outfits barred from polling units and collation centres.
August 12, (THEWILL) — The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to lead the Nigeria Police Force’s security operations for Saturday’s governorship election, warning political thugs, ballot snatchers and other electoral offenders to stay away from the poll or face the full weight of the law.
THEWILL reports that the deployment forms part of an intensified nationwide security strategy by the Police to ensure that the August 15 governorship election is conducted in a peaceful, orderly and credible atmosphere amid heightened political activities across the state.
According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, DIG Mohammed will coordinate the Police component of the election security arrangement while working closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
The statement said the DIG would be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs) and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across Osun’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, coordinate intelligence gathering and guarantee prompt responses to any emerging security threats before, during and after the election.
The Police said comprehensive security arrangements had already been concluded to protect voters, Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, journalists and other stakeholders participating in the electoral process.
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The Force stressed that the deployment was aimed at guaranteeing that eligible voters exercise their constitutional rights freely without intimidation, violence or disruption.
The IGP warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other individuals planning to undermine the election that the Police would not tolerate ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, vote buying or any other electoral offence.
He said anyone found violating the Electoral Act or attempting to disrupt the electoral process would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of political affiliation or status.
The Police chief also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, personal security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political office holders, candidates or other VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.
Similarly, state-established security outfits, vigilante organisations, quasi-security groups and private security companies have been prohibited from participating in election security operations, in line with existing Nigeria Police Force election security guidelines.
According to the Force, only constitutionally recognised security agencies operating under the national election security framework will be authorised to provide security during the election.
The Police urged residents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and community stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies by promptly reporting suspicious movements or activities capable of threatening the peaceful conduct of the election.
The Force reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and strict enforcement of the law throughout the electoral process.
Saturday’s governorship election is regarded as one of Nigeria’s most politically significant off-cycle elections ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party is seeking re-election against the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), African Democratic Congress (ADC) candidate, Dr Najeem Salam, and 11 other candidates.
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