The Commissioner of Police overseeing the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, Samuel Etaifo, says the Nigeria Police Force will deploy 15,000 personnel to provide security during the 15 August poll.
Etaifo disclosed this at a news conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, assuring residents that comprehensive security arrangements had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible election.
He said a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) responsible for election operations would also be deployed to the state to supervise security throughout the exercise.
The police commissioner explained that he arrived in Osun two weeks before the election following his appointment as the most junior among the senior officers assigned to coordinate security for the poll.
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had earlier visited the state to assess the security situation and observed rising political tension ahead of the election.
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Etaifo said the Inspector-General subsequently directed his deployment to the state to strengthen security and help create a peaceful atmosphere before polling day.
“The Inspector-General deployed 16 units of the Mobile Police Force and tasked us with maintaining peace and stability ahead of the election.
“Our responsibility is to ensure a peaceful, violence-free and credible electoral process by creating a secure environment for all participants.
“We are also committed to reassuring residents of their safety and strengthening public confidence in the ability of the police to safeguard the election.”
The commissioner warned that anyone found violating the Electoral Act or engaging in acts capable of disrupting the election would be arrested and transferred to Abuja for prosecution, regardless of political affiliation or social status.
Etaifo expressed confidence that the security measures already implemented, together with the planned deployment of personnel, would ensure a peaceful and successful governorship election.
He also appealed to residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies in maintaining law and order before, during and after the poll.
