The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has deployed Ishyaku Mohammed, a deputy inspector-general of police (DIG), to coordinate security operations for the 15 August Osun governorship election.

This was contained in a statement on Wednesday in Abuja, by the Force Public Relations Officer, Anitie Iniedu.

Mr Disu said the deployment was part of operational measures of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process in Osun State.

“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).

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“He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state.

“The senior police officers will supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing, and ensure prompt response to emerging threats,” he said.

The IGP added that the force had put adequate security arrangements in place to protect the voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and media practitioners before, during, and after the election.

He warned political actors, their supporters, and all intending troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and every other electoral offence would attract prompt arrest and prosecution.

He reiterated 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.

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“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,” he said.

Disu pledged that the NPF would provide adequate security for residents, voters, and visitors in Osun ahead of the election.

He urged eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, adding that the force remain committed to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights, and the protection of the electoral process.

On 31 July, IGP deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to oversee Saturday’s election following months of persistent calls for the removal of CP Ibrahim Gotan amid allegations of partisanship and poor handling of election-related security.

(NAN)