With just 10 days to the Osun governorship election, the Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of 15,000 officers to secure the state and deter any attempt to undermine the vote.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, made the announcement on Wednesday during a briefing with journalists and Divisional Police Officers at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo.
According to Vanguard Newspaper, the massive deployment will include Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General, Police Mobile Force operatives and other specialized units. Etaifo said the objective is simple: guarantee peace and protect voters before, during and after the poll.
He was blunt about the stakes. Describing the election as a “federal assignment,” the police chief warned that anyone arrested for electoral offences will not be tried in Osun.
“Anyone arrested for electoral offences will be taken out of Osun State to the Force Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution. There will be no room for interference,” he said.
The warning extended to everyone involved in the process. Politicians, INEC officials and even security personnel were cautioned against vote buying, ballot snatching, intimidation and other forms of malpractice.
Etaifo noted that the Inspector-General of Police gave him a direct mandate to coordinate security and restore calm across Osun. To that end, he said he had already met Governor Ademola Adeleke to brief him and reassure the state government of the police’s commitment to a peaceful election.
Beyond enforcement, the police chief said the early arrival of officers is about trust.
“We cannot have a hostile atmosphere and expect a free and fair election. Our presence is to boost the confidence of Osun people and discourage voter apathy,” he explained.
He also pledged neutrality, stressing that every political party will have equal space to campaign without harassment. At the same time, he warned officers deployed for the exercise against colluding with politicians. “Any personnel found compromising will face disciplinary action,” he added.
Residents were urged to cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities. The police said all operational plans have been finalized to ensure the election is peaceful, free and credible.
As the August 15 poll approaches, residents of Osogbo and other major towns should expect to see increased police visibility on the streets a move the Force says is aimed at preventing violence and protecting the vote.