Police deploy 15,000 officers for Osun election

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed 15,000 personnel for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Samuel Etaifo, made this known at a press conference in Osogbo, the state capital, on Wednesday, August 5, 2026.

Etaifo said a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of election operations are also expected in Osun State for the election.

Etaifo stated that he was deployed to Osun State two weeks before the election because he was the most junior of the senior election officers assigned to oversee the poll.

He revealed that the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, had visited the state weeks earlier to assess the security situation and observed the political tension.

Etaifo said the IGP subsequently directed his deployment to the state to help douse the tension and prepare the ground for a peaceful election.

He said: “He sent 16 units of the Mobile Police Force and gave us the mandate to maintain peace and calm before the election.

“We are to clear and prepare the ground for a peaceful, tension-free and successful election.

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“We are also to assure the people of the state of their security and boost their confidence in the ability of the police ahead of the election.”

Etaifo warned that anyone who violated the electoral law, irrespective of status or political party affiliation, would be arrested and taken to Abuja for prosecution.

He expressed confidence that the security architecture put in place for the election, coupled with measures implemented over the past months, would ensure a successful poll.

Etaifo urged residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.