The Nigeria Police Force has assured Osun State residents of sufficient security before, during, and after Saturday’s governorship election, stating it has deployed personnel and resources across the state to guarantee a peaceful and credible vote.
The assurance was given on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a press briefing at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo.
The briefing was addressed by CSP Anie Edem Iniedu (NIPR), Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO) of the Nigeria Police Force.
CSP Iniedu said the police air component and drone units had been deployed to the state and had commenced surveillance patrols across the state.
He said one unit of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) had also been deployed across each of the 30 local government areas, with the operations being coordinated by commissioners and deputy commissioners of police.
According to him, two units of armed PMF personnel had been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assist with the security of election materials and other critical operations.
He added that seven Special Protection Units personnel would be responsible for the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials as well as the protection of electoral officers.
“At the command, we have two units of armed mobile force personnel for quick response. We also have pockets of armed patrols around the town at various checkpoints,” he said.
The police spokesman said the force was working closely with other security agencies to protect the lives of citizens, electoral officers and electoral materials throughout the election.
He added that the police had put in place administrative and oversight mechanisms to ensure that its personnel complied with electoral laws and conducted themselves professionally.
CSP Iniedu disclosed that a 24-hour call centre had been established in Osun State to receive complaints of professional misconduct against police officers and other law enforcement personnel during the election.
He said complaints received would be investigated and appropriate sanctions imposed on any officer found culpable of violating electoral laws.
He further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olagunji Disu, had directed that each polling unit in the state be manned by four police officers, alongside personnel from other security agencies.
The police spokesman urged residents to remain calm and assured them that adequate security arrangements had been put in place across the state.
He also announced that vehicular movement would be restricted across Osun State from midnight on Friday into Saturday as part of measures to ensure a peaceful election.
CSP Iniedu urged parents and guardians to ensure that underage children and unregistered voters stayed away from polling units, stressing that INEC would not tolerate underage voting or any form of electoral misconduct.
He also warned against vote buying, describing it as an electoral malpractice that would not be tolerated during the election.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police had directed that anyone caught in the act of buying or selling votes would be arrested and prosecuted immediately.
The police therefore urged all stakeholders and residents of Osun State to comply with electoral laws and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and orderly governorship election.
