- Warns Against Snatching Ballot
The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations ahead of the governorship election in the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday, saying DIG Mohammed would coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement.
He will also work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
According to the statement, Mohammed will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts.
The officers will supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt responses to emerging security threats.
The police spokesman said adequate arrangements had also been made to protect voters, Independent National Electoral Commission personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners before, during and after the election.
Disu warned political actors, their supporters and others against attempting to disrupt the electoral process or commit electoral offences.
“Ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and every other electoral offence will attract prompt arrest and prosecution,” the IG said.
The police also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.
Iniedu said state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations were equally prohibited from participating in election security operations.
He said the restriction was in line with established Nigeria Police Force directives on election security.
The Force urged residents, voters and visitors in Osun State to remain calm, assuring them of adequate security throughout the electoral process.
Iniedu also urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, while reaffirming the police commitment to “professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights, and the protection of the electoral process.”