- Safiu Kehinde
The Nigeria Police Force has made clarification over the continued presence of special forces in Osun State weeks after the conclusion of the governorship election.
This is coming under the heels of a publication alleging that the personnel deployed to Osun for the August 15 election were abandoned in the state under harsh conditions without adequate food and basic welfare provisions.
Reacting in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, the force clarified that the continued presence of personnel in Osun State follows established post-election deployment procedures.
Iniedu said that the proactive measure sustains security, prevents post-election violence, addresses emerging threats, and ensures a smooth transition to normal policing.
He noted that the duration of the personnel’s deployment is determined by operational and security needs.
Meanwhile, the police spokesperson debunked claims that the personnel were left without adequate welfare as he disclosed that they have paid their entitlements and are still beung catered for pending their return to their base.
“The Force rejects claims that personnel have been abandoned or subjected to inadequate welfare. All officers deployed for the election have received their approved entitlements, and command structures remain responsible for their welfare throughout the assignment.
“Portraying a planned post-election security deployment as institutional neglect is misleading.
“Such reporting misrepresents operational realities and may undermine personnel morale and public confidence in the Force.” Iniedu wrote
The Force Public Relations Officer reaffirmed the police committment to personnel welfare.
The Force urged reporting platforms to verify claims, especially those from unnamed sources, before publishing reports that could mislead the public or undermine security operations.