IG deploys DIG to coordinate security for Osun governorship election

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate the police security operation for Saturday’s governorship election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, announced the deployment in a statement issued on Wednesday, saying it was part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible election.

Mohammed will coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

The police said the DIG would be supported by an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across the three senatorial districts to strengthen intelligence gathering, supervise operations and ensure swift responses to emerging security threats.

The Force said adequate personnel and logistics had been deployed to protect voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and journalists before, during and after the election.

Disu also warned politicians, party supporters and other individuals against acts capable of disrupting the election, including ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences.

According to the police, anyone found engaging in such activities would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The IGP further reiterated the restriction on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.

The police also warned that state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations would not be permitted to participate in election security operations.

The latest deployment comes amid intensified security preparations for the August 15 governorship election, which is expected to feature 14 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The Commissioner of Police deployed for the election, Erale Etaifo, had earlier disclosed that about 15,000 police personnel would be mobilised across the state. The deployment includes conventional policemen, specialists, members of the Police Mobile Force, the police dog section and medical personnel.

The police urged residents, voters and visitors in Osun State to remain calm and exercise their civic rights peacefully, assuring them of adequate security throughout the electoral process.