IG Deploys DIG to Osun, Warns Against Ballot Snatching

The Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has deployed a Deputy Inspector General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations for Saturday’s governorship election.

The deployment is part of measures by the Nigeria Police Force to ensure a peaceful, secure, and credible conduct of the August 15, 2026 election.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, DIG Mohammed will coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement and work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts. They will oversee operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing, and ensure a prompt response to emerging security threats.

The police spokesman said adequate measures had also been put in place to protect voters, INEC officials, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers, and media practitioners before, during, and after the election.

Disu warned political actors, their supporters, and others against engaging in electoral offences, stressing that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and other attempts to disrupt the election would not be tolerated.

The IG said those involved in such offences would face prompt arrest and prosecution.

Iniedu 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 prohibited from participating in election security operations, in line with existing Nigeria Police Force directives.

The police urged residents, voters, and visitors in Osun State to remain calm and assured them of adequate security throughout the electoral process.

The Force also encouraged eligible voters to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear, while reaffirming its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights, and the protection of the electoral process.