The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate police operations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, announced the deployment in a statement on Wednesday.
Mohammed is expected to coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
According to the statement, the DIG will be supported by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state.
The police said the arrangement was designed to strengthen intelligence gathering, improve coordination and ensure quick responses to security threats before, during and after the election.
Iniedu said, “DIG Mohammed 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.”
The Force said security personnel had also been assigned to protect voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and journalists.
Disu warned politicians, their supporters and others against actions capable of disrupting the election, stressing that electoral offences such as ballot snatching, voter intimidation and political thuggery would be met with arrest and prosecution.
The IGP also reiterated the prohibition of armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised individuals accompanying politicians or VIPs to polling units and collation centres.
The police further warned that state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations would not be permitted to participate in election security operations.
The statement quoted Disu as saying, “The Nigeria Police Force reassures residents, voters, and visitors in Osun State of adequate security and urges all eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear.”
The latest deployment comes as security agencies intensify preparations for the August 15 governorship election, which is being contested by 14 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.
The police had earlier announced plans to deploy about 15,000 personnel across the state for the election.
