By Ismail Azeez
No fewer than 15,000 Nigeria Police personnel including Assistant Inspectors-General of Police (AIGs), Police Mobile Force (PMF) operatives, and other specialized units will be deployed to provide security for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun State governorship election, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, assured residents and political stakeholders on Wednesday that the Nigeria Police Force would remain neutral, professional, and committed to ensuring a peaceful, free, fair, and credible election.
He gave the assurance while addressing journalists and Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo.
Etaifo said the Inspector-General of Police had given him a clear mandate to restore peace, build public confidence, and coordinate security arrangements that would guarantee a conducive atmosphere for the governorship poll.
He explained that the early deployment of security personnel was designed to reassure residents and encourage massive voter participation by eliminating fear and intimidation.
“As I speak, the total number of officers assigned for this election will be no fewer than 15,000 personnel drawn from various sections of the Nigeria Police Force, including conventional police, specialized units, medical teams, and the Police Mobile Force,” Etaifo said.
He added, “I met with the governor and informed him about my mandate in Osun State. The Inspector-General of Police directed me to pacify the state and stabilize the security situation in preparation for a free, fair, and credible election. We cannot have a hostile atmosphere and expect to conduct a free and fair election. The early arrival of police personnel is to boost the confidence of the people of Osun State and discourage voter apathy. We want every eligible voter to feel confident that they can come out and exercise their civic responsibility without fear.”
Etaifo also stressed that the force’s duty is to guarantee a level playing field for every political actor, emphasizing that the days of alleged police partisanship are over and that every political party must have an equal opportunity to campaign and participate without intimidation or harassment.
Warning political actors, security personnel, and INEC officials against manipulating the election, Etaifo stated that anyone found violating the Electoral Act or attempting to undermine the credibility of the process would be held accountable.
He noted that because the governorship election is a national exercise, anyone arrested for electoral offenses would be taken out of Osun State to the Force Headquarters for further investigation and prosecution to prevent local interference.
“If you compromise, I, Samuel, will deal with you accordingly and ensure you are sent where you belong. We must uphold the integrity and reputation of the Nigeria Police Force,” he warned.