OSOGBO – With just days to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has unveiled a comprehensive security blueprint, deploying a massive 15,000 officers and warning that no individual or group, regardless of political affiliation, will be allowed to disrupt the electoral process .
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu, speaking at a stakeholder engagement in Abuja, assured residents of adequate protection, urging them to come out en masse to vote without fear .
No Role For Amotekun, Vigilantes
In a decisive move, the Police have barred the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force, Hunters Associations, and all other non-state security outfits from participating in election security .
The directive, reiterated by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, states that only constitutionally recognized agencies—including the Police, Army, DSS, and NSCDC—are authorized to secure polling units, escort materials, or mount checkpoints . Anyone found violating this order will be arrested and prosecuted .
13 LGAs Under Watch As Violence Fears Mount
The election security crackdown comes amid rising tensions, with civil society group Yiaga Africa identifying 13 Local Government Areas as high-risk violence hotspots and linking at least 34 fatalities to election-related violence since June .
Osogbo and Irewole LGAs were flagged as critical-risk zones, while areas like Ife North, Boripe, and Ife Central require heightened security attention . IGP Disu attributed the political violence to entrenched cult activities exploited by politicians .
Massive Deployment, Strict Warning
The security architecture includes a minimum of four police officers per polling unit across the state’s over 3,000 polling stations . This force will be complemented by 10,210 NSCDC personnel, including specialized units like SWAT, K9, and intelligence squads, alongside EFCC operatives to monitor vote buying .
CP Samuel Erale Etaifo has been specifically deployed to coordinate the operation, with senior officers' identities withheld until election day to prevent political interference .
IGP Disu warned: "No election is worth losing any life. Elections will come and go" . He declared that police would remain neutral, professional, and that anyone arrested for major offences would be moved to Abuja for prosecution .
CALL TO ACTION:
If you see something, say something. Report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency.
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