Inspector General of Police Tunji Disu
By John Dike, Osogbo
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a stern warning to political parties, candidates and their supporters against engaging in any form of electoral violence during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, declaring that anyone who disrupts the electoral process will face the full weight of the law.
It also announced comprehensive security arrangements for the August 15 governorship poll, stressing that only constitutionally recognised security agencies would be allowed to participate in election security operations across the state.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, said the police were fully prepared to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.
The police warned that recurring electoral offences such as ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying, destruction of electoral materials and violent clashes between rival political supporters would not be tolerated under any circumstances.
According to the statement, anyone found participating in or sponsoring electoral violence would be arrested and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation or social status.
“The Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, must be peaceful. Anyone who attempts to disrupt the process through violence, intimidation or thuggery will face the full weight of the law,” the statement said.
The Force also prohibited the involvement of non-state security outfits in election security, declaring that organisations such as the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters’ associations, neighbourhood watch groups and other community-based security organisations have no constitutional role in the conduct of election security.
It stated that such groups must not escort electoral materials, guard polling units or collation centres, mount checkpoints or bear arms during the election.
The police warned political parties, candidates and individuals against engaging, sponsoring or deploying members of any unauthorised security outfit for election-related activities, noting that violators would be arrested and prosecuted.
The statement clarified that only constitutionally recognised agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other statutory agencies participating in the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), would provide election security across the state.
According to the police, the joint deployment will cover all the 30 local government areas of Osun State, securing polling units, collation centres, electoral materials, election officials, accredited observers, journalists and voters.
The Force also reiterated that the possession of firearms, dangerous weapons and offensive materials around polling units and collation centres remained strictly prohibited, except for accredited security personnel officially deployed for election duties.
It added that anyone found engaging in electoral offences, including thuggery, obstruction of electoral officials, unlawful possession of election materials, hate speech or incitement to violence, would be arrested and charged to court.
The Inspector-General of Police further directed all commanders and personnel deployed for the election to discharge their responsibilities professionally, impartially and in strict compliance with the rule of law and respect for fundamental human rights.
The police also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and accredited election observers to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful election by reporting suspicious movements and activities to the nearest security agency.
The Force assured the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), political parties, candidates and the people of Osun State of its commitment to providing adequate security before, during and after the governorship election.
It pledged that every eligible voter would be able to exercise his or her constitutional right freely without fear, intimidation or harassment.
“The Police remain neutral, professional and resolute, and will not allow any actor to undermine the peaceful conduct of the Osun State Governorship Election,” the statement added.
