The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force to strengthen security and ensure a peaceful, credible and orderly electoral process across the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement made available to journalists in Abuja on Wednesday.
According to the statement, DIG Mohammed will lead the police component of the election security arrangement and work with other security agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He will be supported by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and a Commissioner of Police, who will be deployed across Osun’s three senatorial districts.
The senior officers are expected to supervise security operations, strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure prompt responses to any security threats that may emerge before, during or after the election.
The police said adequate security arrangements had also been made to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials, polling and collation centres, as well as accredited observers and journalists.
The IGP warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against actions capable of undermining the election.
He specifically warned that offences including ballot snatching, voter intimidation and political thuggery would attract arrest and prosecution.
Disu also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying politicians or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.
The Force further warned that state-backed security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations would not be allowed to take part in election security operations.
The police urged residents and voters across Osun State to participate peacefully and exercise their civic responsibilities without fear.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, with 14 candidates expected to contest, including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
