Police deploy 15,000 personnel for Osun governorship election

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed 15,000 personnel across Osun State for Saturday’s governorship election as part of measures to secure the poll and prevent violence.

The Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this at the state police headquarters in Osogbo, saying the personnel were drawn from the Police Mobile Force, tactical units, Bomb Squad, Special Protection Unit and other formations.

Iniedu said the police had deployed 30 units across the state’s local government areas, with each unit comprising about 60 officers, including 50 armed personnel.

He added that two units of armed mobile police officers had also been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Osogbo, while each local government area would have a commissioner of police, deputy commissioner of police and mobile police commander.

Meanwhile, the PRO said police helicopter and drone units had arrived in Osogbo and would conduct surveillance before, during and immediately after the election.

He further disclosed that four police officers would be deployed to each polling unit across the state to strengthen security and maintain order during the election.

According to him, the army would cordon off border roads leading into Osun State, while vehicular movement would be restricted from midnight on Saturday, except for people on essential or security duties and those travelling to cast their votes.

He said the police would work with constitutionally recognised security agencies during the election and would not engage quasi-security units, including the Amotekun Corps and vigilantes, in election security operations.