By
Gloria Josiah

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed to Osun State ahead of the Governorship Election fixed for Saturday, 15th August, 2026.

The deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force to guarantee a peaceful, secure, and credible poll across the state.

DIG Mohammed will oversee the police component of the election security plan and work in coordination with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, ICCES.

He will be assisted by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police who have been strategically posted to the state’s three senatorial districts. Their mandate includes supervising operations, enhancing intelligence-driven policing, and ensuring quick response to any security threat.

The Force has made adequate arrangements to secure voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and members of the media before, during, and after the election.

The IGP warned political actors, supporters, and potential troublemakers that acts such as ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and other electoral offences will be met with immediate arrest and prosecution.

He also restated the ban on armed escorts, security aides, and other unauthorized persons from accompanying political leaders or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day. State-owned security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security firms are equally barred from participating in election security duties, in line with NPF guidelines.

The Nigeria Police Force assured residents, voters, and visitors in Osun State of adequate security, and urged eligible citizens to come out and vote peacefully without fear of intimidation. The Force reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights, and the integrity of the electoral process.