Breaking: Osun 2026: IGP Disu deploys senior officers

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed senior police officers to Osun State to coordinate security operations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The development was disclosed in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on Wednesday.

According to the statement, Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, has been deployed to Osun State to coordinate the police component of the security arrangements for the August 15, 2026 election.

The deployment, the Force said, was part of the Nigeria Police Force’s operational measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.

DIG Mohammed will work closely 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 strategically deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts.

The senior officers are expected to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt response to emerging threats before, during and after the election.

The Force said adequate security arrangements had also been put in place for the protection of voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners.

The IGP warned political actors, their supporters and intending troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences would attract prompt arrest and prosecution.

Disu also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units or collation centres on election day.

He said: “State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, in line with established Nigeria Police Force election-security directives.”

The Force reassured residents, voters and visitors in Osun State of adequate security and urged all eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear.

It also reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and protection of the electoral process.