The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun state governorship election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, Wednesday disclosed that no fewer than 15,000 police personnel have been deployed to conduct the August 15 gubernatorial poll in the state.

Etaifo said his earlier redeployment for the exercise followed tension and violence in Osun, which he said had led to attacks and gruesome killings in parts of the state. Blueprint reports

Speaking during a session with deployed officers at Police Officers Mess in Osogbo, Etaifo cautioned the personnel against any conduct that could compromise the election.

He said anyone caught undermining a free and fair election, whether a police officer, political actors, or members of any political party, would be dealt with under the law.

Etaifo stated that violators of electoral laws would be moved straight to Abuja, and that no one arrested in Osun during or after the election would be taken elsewhere first.

He said the order applies because the election is being treated as a federal government election.

He added that the 15,000 figure includes conventional police officers as well as specialists and other units such as dog section, medical personnel, PMF and that the DIG and AIG overseeing the operations are also expected to be involved.

Etaifo said he would be the CP in charge of the election, noting that the IGP deployed him for that role.

Noting that he was expected to arrive earlier, about four days to five days before the election, but came based on the heightened tension.