The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has announced that the Nigeria Police Force will deploy at least four officers to each of the more than 3,000 polling units across Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The deployment, according to the IGP, is part of a comprehensive security strategy aimed at ensuring a peaceful, free and credible election.
Disu disclosed this during a stakeholder engagement with civil society organisations on election security, where he assured residents that the Police are fully prepared to protect voters, electoral officials and other stakeholders before, during and after the poll.
The police chief, however, expressed concern over alleged attempts by some politicians to identify senior police officers assigned to specific local government areas before the election.
According to him, although the deployment list has already been approved, the identities of senior officers assigned to various local government areas will remain confidential until election day.
“We have noticed politicians making frantic efforts to identify the senior officers that will be deployed to each local government area. The list will not be released until the day of the election to ensure a free, fair and credible exercise,” Disu said.
He encouraged eligible voters in Osun State to come out in large numbers to cast their ballots without fear, assuring them that adequate security arrangements have been put in place.
The assurance comes amid growing concerns over political violence in parts of the state, with civil society groups identifying 13 local government areas as high-risk zones due to recurring clashes and insecurity.
Disu acknowledged existing security challenges, including cult-related violence, which he said some political actors have exploited during the election period.
He explained that the Police had already taken steps to strengthen security, including the decision for the state’s Commissioner of Police to step aside while another officer oversees election security operations.
The IGP also disclosed that an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) would soon be deployed to Osun to further reinforce security across the state.
Describing the governorship election as the final off-cycle election before the 2027 general elections, Disu said the poll would serve as an important test for the Nigeria Police Force.
He warned police officers deployed for election duty against engaging in any unlawful conduct or allowing themselves to be used by politicians.
“Do not allow yourselves to be used as cannon fodder. You have families and you have a name. Do not soil that name because of an election that will come and go,” he warned.
The IGP also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and avoid violence.
He cautioned politicians against sponsoring thugs, stressing that peaceful conduct by all parties would contribute to a successful election.
Earlier, Yiaga Africa Executive Director, Samson Itodo, described the Osun governorship election as a crucial test for rebuilding public confidence in Nigeria’s electoral process.
He disclosed that 13 local government areas have been classified as high-risk zones, including Osogbo, Irewole, Ifedayo and Ife North, while Boripe, Ife Central and Ife East were listed as areas requiring increased security attention.
Itodo urged security agencies to remain neutral and professional throughout the election to ensure a credible outcome.
