Osun Election: Police Bans VIPs, Politicians From Polling Units With Armed Escorts

The Nigeria Police Force has prohibited politicians, VIPs and other influential individuals from taking armed escorts, security aides or unauthorised personnel to polling units and collation centres during Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.

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The directive forms part of measures adopted by the police to prevent intimidation and other security breaches before, during and after the August 15 election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, adding that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, had deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to coordinate the police security arrangement for the poll.

Mohammed is expected to lead the police component of the election security operation and liaise with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

The police said Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police had also been strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts to strengthen intelligence gathering and ensure swift responses to security threats.

According to the Force, adequate arrangements have been made to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling and collation centres, accredited observers and journalists throughout the electoral process.

The police warned politicians, their supporters and other individuals who may attempt to disrupt the election that offences such as ballot snatching, voter intimidation and political thuggery would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.

The Force also reiterated that state-owned security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security companies would not be allowed to participate in election security operations.

It urged eligible voters to turn out and exercise their franchise peacefully, assuring residents and visitors that adequate security would be provided throughout the election period.

The police further pledged to maintain professionalism and neutrality while respecting human rights and safeguarding the integrity of the electoral process.