Osun 2026: IGP deploys DIG to coordinate security operations

Nigeria's Inspector-General of Police has deployed a senior officer to oversee security operations for the upcoming Osun governorship election, aiming to guarantee a smooth and credible process.

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The DIG will coordinate the police component of the election-security arrangement and work closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

Inspector-General Olatunji Disu appointed Deputy Inspector-General Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate the police's role in election security. This strategic deployment is intended to ensure peace and integrity during the August 15 election in Osun State. Mohammed will work alongside other security agencies within the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES).

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He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts of the state.

Assistant Inspectors-General and Commissioners of Police will be strategically positioned across the state's three senatorial districts to supervise operations. Their mandate includes enhancing intelligence-led policing and ensuring swift responses to any emerging threats. The police force has affirmed that comprehensive security arrangements are in place to protect voters, election officials, materials, and observers.

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The IGP added that the force had put adequate security arrangements in place to protect the voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and media practitioners before, during, and after the election.

The IGP issued a stern warning to political actors and potential troublemakers, emphasizing that offenses such as ballot snatching, voter intimidation, and political thuggery will result in immediate arrest and prosecution. He also reiterated the ban on armed escorts and unauthorized security personnel accompanying political figures to polling or collation centers on election day. State-established security outfits and private security organizations are also barred from election duties, adhering to established police directives.

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State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, consistent with established NPF election-security directives.