The Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of about 15,000 personnel to provide security during the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, as authorities intensify efforts to ensure a peaceful exercise.
The Punch reported that the Commissioner of Police overseeing the election, Samuel Etaifo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo while addressing officers deployed for the poll.
He explained that the security arrangement would comprise conventional police officers, specialised units, the Police Mobile Force, medical teams and the dog section.
Etaifo also revealed that a Deputy Inspector General of Police and an Assistant Inspector General of Police would supervise the operation.
“As I speak with you, the total number of officers that will come for this election, we should be expecting nothing less than 15,000.
“This includes conventional policemen, specialists, dog section, medical, PMF. The DIG and AIG in charge of this operation are coming.
“I will be the CP in charge of the election. That is why the IGP has deployed me here. We are supposed to arrive here about four or five days before the election, but because of the heightened tension, the IGP said I should come, being the junior officer,” Etaifo said.
The police commissioner noted that additional officers had already been deployed to Osun following recent incidents of violence linked to the election atmosphere.
He urged all officers assigned to election duties to conduct themselves professionally, respect the law and maintain the highest ethical standards throughout the exercise.
Etaifo warned that anyone found attempting to disrupt the conduct of a credible election would face the full weight of the law, regardless of status.
He further disclosed that all suspects arrested for electoral offences during the poll would be transferred to Abuja for investigation and prosecution.
“Arrested violators of electoral laws will be moved straight to Abuja.
“Anyone arrested here in Osun during the course or after the election will be taken to Abuja. This election is a Federal Government election, so anybody arrested will be taken to Abuja. That’s the order,” the CP said.
Voters in Osun State are expected to elect a governor on August 15, with 14 candidates, including the incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, contesting the election
