Osun election security is being tightened as police deploy 30 commissioners and more than 15,000 personnel ahead of Saturday’s governorship poll
The Nigeria Police Force has deployed 30 Commissioners of Police and more than 15,000 personnel across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with aerial surveillance and mobile police units also deployed to strengthen security before, during and after the poll.
Also read: Osun Poll: 1.9 Million Voters Ready for Saturday Election
CSP Anietie Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed the security arrangements in Osogbo on Thursday, August 13, 2026, saying preparations for the election had begun three weeks earlier.
A Deputy Inspector-General of Police has been assigned to coordinate the overall security operation across the state, while each of Osun’s 30 local government areas will have a Commissioner of Police and a Deputy Commissioner overseeing security operations.
The police have also deployed a Police Mobile Force unit to each local government area.
“We have deployed armed mobile policemen to every local government area in the state. So, we have 30 units across 30 local government areas. A unit is about 60 policemen,” Iniedu said.
Two additional armed mobile police units have been assigned to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo.
The deployment is part of a wider security arrangement intended to prevent violence, intimidation, electoral malpractice and other disruptions during the election.
Police commanders stationed in the local government areas will coordinate personnel deployed to their respective locations, according to Iniedu.
The force has also introduced aerial surveillance to monitor developments across the state.
“As of today (Thursday), our helicopters and drone units have arrived in Osogbo, and they will be conducting area surveillance from now, during and immediately after the elections,” Iniedu said.
The surveillance is expected to provide security authorities with a wider view of developments around polling areas and other locations considered sensitive during the election period.
Movement restrictions will also form part of the security operation.
Iniedu said the military would restrict vehicular movement along roads connecting Osun with neighbouring states from midnight on Saturday.
“We will be locking down the state. We will not be allowing any vehicular movement apart from those on essential duty, security duties and those going to cast their franchise,” he said.
The authorities’ decision to restrict movement is intended to limit the movement of criminal elements and reduce the possibility of organised disruption during the election.
Police have also appealed to parents and guardians to discourage young people from participating in electoral offences.
Iniedu specifically mentioned intimidation, stalking, vote-buying and ballot-box snatching among offences that could attract police action.
A mobile court will also be available during the election period to prosecute suspects arrested for electoral offences, according to the police spokesperson.
The security preparations come amid heightened political activity in Osun as candidates compete for control of the state.
Among those contesting the governorship seat are Governor Ademola Adeleke, Bola Oyebamiji and Najeem Salaam, representing different political platforms.
The election is taking place against the backdrop of broader preparations by INEC, which has said that more than 1.9 million registered voters have collected their Permanent Voter Cards ahead of the poll.
Security officials have also been monitoring the availability of illegal weapons in the state.
Iniedu said police had recovered about 34 illegal firearms during operations ahead of the election, although he added that investigations into the seizures were still ongoing.
“We don’t have specific details about the guns we have mopped up, but I know that in Osun State, so far, we have mopped up about 34 illegal firearms, and investigations are ongoing,” he said.
The extensive deployment comes as police personnel prepare to move from the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo to their respective areas of assignment.
With polling scheduled for Saturday, August 15, security agencies are expected to maintain a visible presence across the state while allowing eligible voters to exercise their constitutional right to vote.
Also read: Osun Poll: 1.9 Million Voters Ready for Saturday Election
The police have urged residents to remain peaceful and avoid conduct that could undermine the credibility or safety of the election.
