15,000 Police Officers to Secure Osun Governorship Election

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of 15,000 personnel to provide security during the Aug. 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Mr Samuel Etaifo, disclosed this at a news conference in Osogbo on Wednesday.

Etaifo said the security arrangement would also include the presence of a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG), who would oversee election operations in the state.

According to him, he was deployed to Osun two weeks ahead of the poll following directives from the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, after an assessment of the state’s security situation.

He explained that the I-G had visited Osun earlier, observed rising political tension and subsequently ordered additional security measures, including the deployment of 16 units of the Mobile Police Force, to maintain peace before, during and after the election.

“Our mandate is to ensure a peaceful atmosphere, reduce tension and create a conducive environment for a credible and successful election,” Etaifo said.

He added that the police were also committed to reassuring residents of their safety and strengthening public confidence in the security arrangements for the poll.

The police commissioner warned that anyone found violating the Electoral Act, regardless of political affiliation or social status, would be arrested and transferred to Abuja for prosecution.

Expressing confidence in the security measures already put in place, Etaifo said the police were well prepared to ensure a peaceful and credible governorship election.

He also appealed to residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies to promote a violence-free electoral process.