OSUN GUBER POLL: Police Deploy DIG To Coordinate Security, Warn Troublemakers.

 

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, and other quasi-security groups and private security organisations from participating in security duties during the Osun State governorship election.

The directive comes ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll scheduled for August 15, 2026, as the Nigeria Police Force intensifies preparations to ensure a peaceful and credible election.

Disu also reaffirmed the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures and VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.

The IGP warned political actors, their supporters and other intending troublemakers against engaging in ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences.

According to him, anyone found committing such offences would be promptly arrested and prosecuted.

“State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, consistent with established NPF election-security directives,” Disu said in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Wednesday, August 12.

As part of the security arrangements, the IGP has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate police operations for the election.

DIG Mohammed will oversee the police component of the election-security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The senior officers are expected to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt responses to any emerging security threats before, during and after the election.

The police said adequate security arrangements had been put in place to protect voters, personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners.

The Force urged residents, voters and visitors in Osun State to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear.

It also reiterated its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process throughout the election.