The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to oversee security operations during the state’s governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible election.
According to the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, DIG Mohammed will coordinate the police’s election security operations and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.
He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across Osun State’s three senatorial districts. Their responsibilities include strengthening intelligence-led policing, supervising operations and responding promptly to emerging security threats.
The police said adequate measures had also been put in place to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and journalists before, during and after the election.
Disu warned politicians, their supporters and others against attempting to disrupt the election, stressing that electoral offences would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.
The Inspector General specifically warned against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other forms of electoral malpractice.
The police also reiterated that armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying politicians or VIPs would not be allowed at polling units or collation centres on election day.
Similarly, state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations are prohibited from taking part in election security operations.
The Force urged residents, voters and visitors in Osun State to remain calm and assured them of adequate security throughout the electoral process. It also encouraged eligible voters to exercise their rights peacefully and without fear, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and protection of the electoral process.