The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up security preparations across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, deploying more than 15,000 personnel alongside helicopters, drones and Police Mobile Force units to safeguard the electoral process.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the deployment during a briefing in Osogbo on Friday, assuring residents, voters, political parties and other stakeholders that adequate security measures had been put in place for the poll.
According to the police, air surveillance operations involving helicopters and drones have already commenced across the state. The technology is expected to support ground forces by monitoring areas that may be difficult to access and helping security personnel respond quickly to emerging threats.
The Police Mobile Force has also been deployed extensively. Each of Osun’s 30 local government areas has been assigned a MOPOL unit, while two additional armed units have been stationed at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo to provide rapid response when necessary.
The police further disclosed that a Commissioner of Police and Deputy Commissioner of Police would oversee security arrangements in each local government area. A Deputy Inspector-General of Police has also been deployed to coordinate the overall security operation for the election.
Security has become a major issue in the build-up to the election following reports of political clashes, attacks and other incidents across parts of the state. The heightened deployment is therefore intended to deter violence, protect voters and electoral officials, and ensure that election materials can move safely to polling locations.
The police have also announced restrictions on movement from midnight on Friday, with exceptions for essential services, security personnel and eligible voters travelling to exercise their franchise. The force said the measure was designed to prevent the movement of individuals who could disrupt the electoral process.
Beyond physical deployment, the police said a 24-hour call centre had been activated to receive complaints concerning the conduct of officers on election duty. Iniedu assured residents that any officer found violating electoral laws or abusing his or her position would face investigation and appropriate sanctions.
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