Osun Election: Police Lock Down State, DIG, 30 CPs Deployed

The Nigeria Police Force has deployed more than 15,000 personnel across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with 30 Commissioners of Police assigned to coordinate security operations across the state’s 30 local government areas.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Thursday while briefing journalists in Osogbo on the security arrangements for the election.

According to him, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police will oversee the overall security operation, while each local government area will have a Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and senior officers of the Mobile Police Force.

The police have also deployed armed mobile officers to all the local government areas. Each of the 30 areas will have a Mobile Police Force unit comprising about 60 personnel.

Two additional Mobile Police Force units have been stationed at the Independent National Electoral Commission headquarters in Osogbo to protect electoral materials and facilities.

Iniedu said aerial surveillance would also form part of the security plan, with a police helicopter and drone teams already deployed to the state to monitor activities before, during and after the election.

The police spokesman further disclosed that the Army would restrict movement along the state’s entry and exit routes from midnight on Saturday. Only people on essential duties, security assignments and voters would be permitted to move during the restriction.

The measure, he said, was part of efforts to prevent the movement of criminals and political thugs into the state during the election.

The police also warned parents and guardians to caution their children against electoral offences such as intimidation, stalking, vote buying and ballot box snatching. Suspects arrested for such offences are expected to face trial before a mobile court.

The Force said it had also recovered about 34 illegal firearms in Osun as part of its preparations for the election, while investigations into the seizures and other security incidents were continuing.

The heavy security presence comes amid rising political tension and allegations of violence involving supporters of major political parties in different parts of the state.

Meanwhile, reports of alleged vote buying have emerged in Osogbo ahead of the poll. Some traders and residents in areas including Oja Ojude Oga, Ota Efun, Igbona and Alekuwodo claimed that political canvassers had distributed cash to residents while seeking their support.

Some residents said they received ₦10,000, while one trader claimed that another ₦15,000 had been distributed earlier. The residents said they were asked to support particular candidates but were not required to present their Permanent Voter Cards before receiving the money.

The Osun APC denied involvement in vote-buying, saying the party had sufficient support and did not need to induce voters to secure victory.

The Accord Party was contacted for its reaction but had not responded at the time of the report.

In another development, about 12 suspected hoodlums were reportedly arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel in Ifewara while travelling in a vehicle said to have APC markings. A video circulating online showed the suspects being questioned by the officers.

The Osun APC said it had not seen the video and would respond after examining the footage.

The Independent National Electoral Commission has meanwhile appealed to all political parties and candidates to honour the peace agreement signed ahead of the election.

INEC said 14 political parties had signed the peace accord facilitated by the National Peace Committee and the electoral body, committing themselves to a peaceful election and respect for the law.

The commission acknowledged that political tension had increased in the state but said preparations were ongoing to ensure that voters could cast their ballots in a safe environment.

INEC said non-sensitive election materials had already been distributed to local government areas, while sensitive materials were scheduled to be moved from Central Bank of Nigeria facilities to local government offices before being taken to Registration Area Centres.

The commission expects officials to arrive at the polling units early on Saturday, with voting scheduled to begin after the necessary accreditation procedures.

INEC also said its Bimodal Voter Accreditation System had been upgraded and tested through a mock exercise. The commission increased its backup devices from about 600 to more than 1,300 to reduce the effect of possible technical problems during voting.

Situational rooms in Osogbo and Abuja will monitor the election and enable the commission to receive reports from polling units and communicate with officials where necessary.

The commission said more than 2.3 million people are registered to vote in the state, while urging voters to rely on verified information and avoid spreading unconfirmed reports.

INEC also warned that vote buying was an electoral offence and said both those offering money and those accepting it could face legal consequences.

The electoral body urged voters who notice irregularities at polling units to remain calm, avoid confrontation and report the matter through the appropriate channels.

It further disclosed that 1,906,390 Permanent Voter Cards had been collected by voters across Osun State. The figure represents 81.50 per cent of the state’s 2,339,233 registered voters.

A total of 426,842 PVCs, representing 18.50 per cent, remained uncollected and had been deposited with the Central Bank of Nigeria in line with INEC’s procedures.

The commission also said 6,101 people who applied to replace lost, damaged or defaced PVCs had printed downloadable copies of their cards.

With the election only a day away, security agencies and INEC have called on political actors, candidates and voters to avoid violence and allow the people of Osun to freely choose their next governor.