Police flood Osun with 15,000 personnel ahead of Governorship Poll

The Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of 15,000 officers and specialised personnel to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, as security agencies intensify efforts to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free poll.

The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, disclosed this on Wednesday during a briefing with officers deployed for the exercise at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo.

Etaifo said the Inspector-General of Police ordered his early deployment to the state because of the rising political tension and recent violent incidents that have claimed lives in parts of Osun.

He explained that although election security commanders are usually deployed just a few days before an election, the deteriorating security situation necessitated his arrival well ahead of schedule.

“As I speak, we are expecting no fewer than 15,000 personnel for this election. The deployment includes conventional police officers, the Police Mobile Force, specialists, the dog section, medical teams and other tactical units. The Deputy Inspector-General of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General in charge of the operation will also be in the state,” he said.

Etaifo warned officers to remain professional, impartial and law-abiding throughout the electoral process, stressing that the police would not tolerate any conduct capable of undermining the credibility of the election.

He also issued a strong warning to politicians, party supporters and security personnel, saying anyone found violating the Electoral Act or disrupting the election would face the full weight of the law.

According to him, all suspects arrested for election-related offences will be transferred to Abuja for investigation and prosecution in line with directives from the police high command.

“This is a federal election assignment. Anyone arrested for violating electoral laws will be taken to Abuja. That is the directive, and it will be strictly enforced,” Etaifo stated.

The massive security deployment comes amid heightened political activities and concerns over pre-election violence, as major political parties intensify campaigns ahead of what is expected to be a keenly contested governorship race.