The Nigeria Police Force has barred politicians, VIPs and other political figures from taking armed escorts, security aides or unauthorised persons to polling units and collation centres during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The directive is part of security measures being implemented by the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, 2026.
Iniedu said the IGP had deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations for the August 15 governorship election.
DIG Mohammed 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).
He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt responses to emerging threats.
The Force said adequate security arrangements had been put in place to protect voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners before, during and after the election.
The IGP, however, warned political actors, their supporters and other intending troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences would attract prompt arrest and prosecution.
The Force reiterated that armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying politicians or VIPs to polling units or collation centres would not be allowed on election day.
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It also said state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations were barred from participating in election security duties, in line with established Nigeria Police Force directives.
The police urged eligible voters in Osun State to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, assuring residents and visitors of adequate security throughout the election period.
The Force further reaffirmed its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process.
