By: Peter Emmanuel |
The Nigeria Police Force has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate security operations for the August 15, 2026 Osun State governorship election, with about 15,000 police officers expected to be deployed across the state.
The deployment is part of measures by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to ensure a peaceful and secure electoral process, according to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.
The Commissioner of Police overseeing the election, Samuel Etaifo, also disclosed that a DIG and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of election operations were expected in the state as part of the security arrangements.
The police said personnel would be deployed to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners before, during and after the election.
DIG Mohammed to Coordinate Security Operations
According to the police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed will coordinate the Police component of the election-security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
He will be supported by AIGs and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt response to emerging security threats.
Etaifo said he was deployed to Osun about two weeks before the election after Disu visited the state and assessed the security situation amid rising political tension.
According to the CP, Disu directed his deployment to help reduce the tension and prepare the state for a peaceful election.
“He sent 16 units of the Mobile Police Force and gave us the mandate to maintain peace and calm before the election,” Etaifo said.
He added that the police were also expected to reassure residents and boost their confidence in the ability of security agencies to protect them during the electoral process.
Police Warn Against Electoral Offences
The police have warned political actors, their supporters and other individuals against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences.
Etaifo said anyone who violates the electoral law would be arrested regardless of political status or party affiliation and taken to Abuja for prosecution.
He expressed confidence that the security arrangements already put in place, alongside measures implemented in the state over the past months, would help ensure a peaceful and successful election.
The Force said adequate arrangements had also been made to protect election personnel, sensitive materials and other stakeholders involved in the poll.
It urged residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies and avoid actions capable of escalating tension or disrupting the election.
Armed Escorts, Unauthorised Security Groups Barred
Disu also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.
State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations are equally barred from performing election-security duties, in line with existing Nigeria Police Force directives.
The police said the restrictions were intended to ensure that election security remains under a coordinated and authorised structure and to prevent the presence of unauthorised armed or security personnel at electoral locations.
The Force assured residents, voters and visitors to Osun State of adequate security before, during and after the election.
It urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and protection of the electoral process.
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