The Nigeria Police Force has announced a total restriction of movement across Osun State from midnight on Friday as part of security measures for Saturday’s governorship election.
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The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this on Friday during a briefing at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo. He said the restriction was part of the final security arrangements for the election across the state’s 30 local government areas.
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According to Iniedu, security operations had already been stepped up across the state, with helicopters and drones deployed for aerial surveillance. He added that the Police Mobile Force had assigned a unit to each local government area to support ground operations during the election.
Each mobile force unit, he said, would operate under the supervision of an Assistant Commissioner of Police serving as squadron commander, while Commissioners of Police and Deputy Commissioners of Police would oversee security operations in the various local government areas.
The police spokesman also disclosed that two units of armed and combat-ready mobile police personnel had been deployed to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo.
Seven detachments of the Special Protection Units had equally been deployed to provide security for electoral materials and protect INEC officials involved in the conduct of the election.
Iniedu assured residents that the police would remain neutral throughout the electoral process, saying the primary responsibility of the force was to protect lives and property and maintain public order.
He urged residents to come out and exercise their voting rights, assuring them that adequate security arrangements had been made to protect voters and other participants.
The police also appealed to parents and guardians to ensure that underage children did not take part in voting or election-related violence.
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On vote buying, Iniedu said the Inspector-General of Police had directed officers responsible for election supervision to arrest anyone caught offering or receiving money in exchange for votes.
He said suspects arrested for vote buying would face immediate prosecution in line with existing electoral laws.
The Force has also opened a 24-hour call centre for members of the public to report misconduct or other complaints involving police officers deployed for the election.
Iniedu said complaints received through the centre would be investigated and any officer found to have violated electoral laws or acted improperly would face disciplinary action.
Speaking on reports of a shooting incident recorded on Thursday, the police spokesman said the command had not yet received an official update on the matter. He, however, assured journalists that more information would be provided at the next briefing.
He further disclosed that the police had recorded previous cases of political clashes and attacks in the state, with some of the matters already before the courts. Other cases, he said, were still being investigated by the command.
As part of preparations for the poll, the police said they had also held meetings with relevant stakeholders and ad-hoc election personnel, including members of the National Youth Service Corps who would participate in the electoral process.
The engagement was aimed at assuring the election workers of their safety and encouraging them to carry out their duties without fear.
Iniedu also said arrangements had been made to take care of the welfare of police personnel deployed across the state, noting that proper welfare would help officers remain professional and impartial during the election.
The restriction of movement and increased deployment come as Osun prepares for the governorship election amid heightened political tension and concerns over possible violence. The police said their personnel would remain on duty before, during and after the election to maintain order and protect voters, officials and other stakeholders.
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