The Nigeria Police Force will deploy about 15,000 officers to secure the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale Etaifo, has announced.
Etaifo disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo during a meeting with journalists and Divisional Police Officers at the Police Officers’ Mess, warning politicians, election officials and security personnel against any attempt to influence or disrupt the process.
He said anyone arrested for major electoral offences would be transferred out of Osun State to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for investigation and prosecution, a measure designed to prevent interference with cases before they reach the courts.
According to him, the security operation will draw on Commissioners of Police, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, Police Mobile Force personnel and other specialised units, with the governorship poll being treated as a federal election assignment.
Etaifo said the deployment is meant to protect lives, maintain order and guarantee peaceful voting before, during and after the election. He listed vote buying, ballot box snatching, voter intimidation and violence among the offences that would attract legal consequences, adding that the warning extends to political parties, security officers and officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission.
He said the Inspector-General of Police assigned him to coordinate security operations across Osun State and restore calm ahead of the poll. As part of that assignment, he disclosed that he had already briefed Governor Ademola Adeleke on the security arrangements and assured the state government of the police’s commitment to a peaceful election.
Etaifo explained that positioning security personnel early was deliberate, intended to give residents confidence to come out and vote without fear. A peaceful atmosphere, he added, would help cut down voter apathy and allow the election to proceed without unnecessary tension.
He assured political parties that the police would remain neutral throughout the exercise, with every candidate and party guaranteed equal freedom to campaign and participate without harassment or intimidation.
Turning to his officers, Etaifo directed personnel on election duty to act professionally, warning against collusion with politicians or any compromise of the process. He said any officer found culpable would face disciplinary action.
He appealed to Osun residents to obey the law, cooperate with security agencies and report suspicious activities, stating that all arrangements had been concluded to support a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in the state.
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