Police deploy 15,000 officers for the Osun governorship poll as authorities tighten security ahead of the 15 August election
Commissioner of Police for the Osun State governorship election, Samuel Etaifo, announced on Wednesday, 5 August, that the Nigeria Police Force will deploy 15,000 officers across Osun State to provide security for the 15 August governorship election, as authorities intensify preparations for a peaceful and credible poll.
Also read:Â Kano APC Chieftain Praises Tinubu Over Rescue of 176 Kwara Abductees
Speaking at a news conference in Osogbo, Etaifo said the deployment forms part of a comprehensive security strategy designed to protect voters, election officials and electoral materials throughout the exercise.
The Police deploy 15,000 officers for Osun governorship poll operation will also be overseen by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police responsible for election operations, reinforcing the command structure for the high-stakes vote.
Etaifo disclosed that he was posted to Osun about two weeks before the election after Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu assessed the state’s security situation and identified rising political tension that required early intervention.
According to the commissioner, the Inspector-General subsequently directed his deployment and authorised the deployment of 16 Mobile Police Force units to strengthen security across the state ahead of the poll.
“The Inspector-General sent 16 units of the Mobile Police Force and gave us the mandate to maintain peace and calm before the election,” Etaifo said.
“We are to clear and prepare the ground for a peaceful, tension-free and successful election. We are also to assure the people of the state of their security and boost their confidence in the ability of the police ahead of the election,” he added.
Etaifo warned that security agencies would strictly enforce the Electoral Act, stressing that anyone found violating electoral laws, regardless of political affiliation or social status, would be arrested and transferred to Abuja for prosecution.
The police commissioner expressed confidence that the security architecture already established, together with months of preventive measures, would support a peaceful electoral process.
He also appealed to residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with law enforcement agencies before, during and after the election.
The Independent National Electoral Commission is expected to conduct the governorship election on 15 August, with political parties intensifying campaigns across the state.
Security deployments of this scale have become a common feature of off-cycle governorship elections in Nigeria, reflecting efforts by authorities to curb electoral violence, voter intimidation and other offences that have affected previous polls.
Also read:Â Kano APC Chieftain Praises Tinubu Over Rescue of 176 Kwara Abductees
The Osun governorship election is expected to be closely watched as one of the country’s major off-cycle elections, with its outcome likely to influence political momentum ahead of the 2027 general election.
