Police deploy DIG to Osun ahead of August 15 election

Olatunji Disu, Inspector-General of Police, IGP has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police,  Ishyaku Mohammed (DIG) to Osun State to coordinate the Nigeria Police Force’s security operations ahead of the state governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The deployment is part of the Force’s comprehensive operational strategy aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process before, during and after the election.

Aniete Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer,  disclosed this in a statement, noting that the DIG would oversee and coordinate the police component of the election security architecture across the state.

According to the Force,  Mohammed is expected to work closely with other security and law enforcement agencies operating under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to ensure effective coordination and a unified response to security challenges that may arise during the electoral process.

The senior police officer will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across Osun State’s three senatorial districts.

The officers will supervise security operations within their respective areas, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure that emerging threats are identified and addressed promptly.

The Force said the deployment was designed to provide adequate protection for voters, personnel of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, journalists and other stakeholders participating in the election.

It said security personnel had been directed to maintain heightened vigilance throughout the electoral period, particularly at locations identified as critical to the success of the election.

The police leadership also warned political parties, candidates, their supporters and other individuals who may attempt to disrupt the electoral process that acts capable of undermining the election would not be tolerated.

Disu specifically cautioned against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, violence and other forms of electoral malpractice, warning that offenders would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The IGP stressed that the police would remain neutral and professional in the discharge of their responsibilities, urging all political actors and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and respect the rules governing the election.

He also reiterated the prohibition on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures, candidates or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.

According to the Force, the restriction is intended to prevent the presence of unauthorised armed personnel from creating tension, intimidating voters or interfering with the conduct of the election.

The IGP further warned that state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations were not authorised to participate in election security duties.

He directed such groups to stay away from polling units, collation centres and other locations designated for election security operations, stressing that election security remains subject to established directives of the Nigeria Police Force and the inter-agency security framework.

The Force said the restriction was necessary to ensure clear command and control, prevent duplication of security functions and safeguard the neutrality of security personnel during the election.

The police appealed to residents and eligible voters in Osun State to remain calm and cooperate with security personnel throughout the electoral process.

It urged voters to exercise their civic rights peacefully and avoid any conduct capable of provoking violence or disrupting voting and collation activities.

The Force also assured residents, visitors, election officials, observers and other stakeholders that adequate security measures had been put in place to protect lives and property across the state.

The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the integrity of the electoral process.

It called on political parties, candidates, traditional and community leaders, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to support efforts to ensure that the August 15 election is conducted in a peaceful and orderly atmosphere.