Osun State is set for a massive security operation as 30 Commissioners of Police, more than 15,000 police operatives, a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, helicopters, drones and Army personnel have been deployed for Saturday’s governorship election.
The unprecedented security buildup comes amid heightened political tension and concerns over possible violence during the poll, with security agencies moving to prevent troublemakers and weapons from being moved into the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed the security arrangements on Thursday while briefing journalists in Osogbo, the state capital.
He said the police began deploying personnel three weeks before the election, with a DIG assigned to coordinate the overall security operation.
According to him, all 30 Local Government Areas in the state will have armed Mobile Police Force units, each comprising about 60 personnel.
A Commissioner of Police and a Deputy Commissioner will also be stationed in each LGA, while senior officers will coordinate the Mobile Police Force formations.
The police have equally deployed two additional Mobile Police Force units to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Osogbo.
But the security operation goes beyond boots on the ground.
Iniedu said police helicopters and drone units had arrived in Osogbo and would conduct aerial surveillance before, during and immediately after the election.
He said the operation was designed to monitor areas of concern and respond quickly to any security threat that might emerge.
OSUN TO BE LOCKED DOWN
The police spokesman also announced a major restriction on movement as security agencies prepare to lock down the state from midnight on Saturday.
According to him, the Army will cordon off border roads leading into Osun to prevent unauthorised movement during the election.
Vehicular movement will be restricted, with only people on essential duties, security personnel and voters travelling to polling units allowed to move.
The heavy deployment comes as the election has been preceded by a tense campaign period, with political parties and security agencies expressing concerns about intimidation, violence and other electoral offences.
The police warned parents to caution their children against getting involved in trouble, particularly vote-buying, intimidation, stalking and ballot-box snatching.
A mobile court will also be available to prosecute people arrested for electoral offences.
34 ILLEGAL GUNS RECOVERED
Iniedu further revealed that security operatives had recovered 34 illegal firearms in the state as part of efforts to prevent armed groups from disrupting the election.
He said investigations were still ongoing to determine how the weapons were obtained and who was behind them.
Meanwhile, police personnel deployed for the election were seen at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo as they moved out to their various areas of operation.
With Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji and ADC candidate Najeem Salaam among the leading contenders, Saturday’s election is shaping up as a major political battle.
The massive security deployment is expected to put security agencies under intense pressure to ensure that the contest remains peaceful and that voters are allowed to cast their ballots without intimidation.
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