The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, as well as other quasi-security groups and private security organisations, from participating in election-security duties ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
Disu also reaffirmed the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.
The IGP warned political actors, their supporters and “all intending troublemakers” that electoral offences, including ballot snatching, voter intimidation and political thuggery, would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.
“State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, consistent with established NPF election-security directives,” Disu said in a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Wednesday.
As part of measures to strengthen security for the election, Disu has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate police operations.
The deployment is aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.
DIG Mohammed will coordinate the police component of the election-security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).
“He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the State’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing, and ensure prompt response to emerging threats.
“The Force has put in place adequate security arrangements for the protection of voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and media practitioners before, during, and after the election,” the statement added.
The police assured residents, voters and visitors to Osun State of adequate security and urged eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear.
The Force also reiterated its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process.
