- Safiu Kehinde
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations for the Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August, 2026.
DIG Ishyaku’s deployment reportedly formed part of the Nigeria Police Force’s operational measures to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process across the State.
This was disclosed in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, Ani Iniedu.
According to the statement, the DIG will coordinate the Police component of the election-security arrangement and work closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
Iniedu also disclosed that necessary security measures have been put in place for the protection of polling units, voters, INEC personnel, and other stakeholders involved in the electoral process.
‘He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the State’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing, and ensure prompt response to emerging threats.
‘The Force has put in place adequate security arrangements for the protection of voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and media practitioners before, during, and after the election.’ The police spokesperson said.
He reiterated the IGP’s warning against political actors, their supporters, and all intending troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and every other electoral offence, stressing that such conduct will attract prompt arrest and prosecution.
Disu, according to Iniedu, further reiterates the ban on armed escorts, security aides, and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units or collation centres on election day.
State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, consistent with established NPF election-security directives.
The Nigeria Police Force reassures residents, voters, and visitors in Osun State of adequate security and urges all eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear. The Force remains committed to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights, and the protection of the electoral process.