*IGP bars Amotekun, other quasi-security groups
*Deploys DIG Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate security operations
*Says action was to ensure peaceful, secure, credible electoral process in Osun
*Warns political actors, their supporters against ballot snatching, voter intimidation
By Richard Akintade, Oshogbo
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Mr Olatunji Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) Ishyaku Mohammed to coordinate security operations for the August 25 governorship election in Osun State.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Wednesday in Abuja.
According to Disu, the deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process in the state.
“The DIG 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 said.
Mohammed will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the three senatorial districts of Osun State.
The senior officers are expected to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure prompt responses to emerging security threats before, during and after the election.
Disu said the police had put adequate security arrangements in place to protect voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, and accredited observers and media practitioners throughout the electoral process.
He warned political actors, their supporters and other potential troublemakers against engaging in ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery or any other electoral offence, stressing that, offenders would be arrested and prosecuted.
The IGP also reiterated the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units and collation centres on Election Day.
He added that state-established security outfits, quasi-security groups and private security organisations were equally prohibited from participating in election-security duties, in line with established NPF directives.
Disu assured residents, voters and visitors to Osun State of adequate police protection ahead of the election.
He urged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, reaffirming the NPF’s commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process.
