Our mandate is to maintain peace and stability, clear any security threats, and ensure that the environment is conducive for a free, fair, and peaceful election
By Moses Okorie
The Nigeria Police Force will deploy 15,000 personnel across Osun State to provide security during the August 15 governorship election, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Mr Samuel Etaifo, has said.
Speaking at a news conference in Osogbo on Wednesday, Etaifo said the extensive deployment was aimed at ensuring a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process.
He disclosed that a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) responsible for election operations would also be in the state to supervise security arrangements before, during and after the poll.
Etaifo explained that he was deployed to Osun two weeks ahead of the election following a directive from the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who had earlier visited the state to assess the security situation and observed rising political tension.
According to the police commissioner, the I-G subsequently ordered his deployment to strengthen security and help create a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the governorship election.
He said the Inspector-General also approved the deployment of 16 units of the Police Mobile Force to reinforce existing security formations in the state.
“Our mandate is to maintain peace and stability, clear any security threats and ensure that the environment is conducive for a free, fair and peaceful election,” Etaifo said.
He added that the police were committed to reassuring residents of their safety and boosting public confidence in the electoral process.
The commissioner warned that security agencies would not hesitate to arrest anyone found violating electoral laws, regardless of political affiliation or social status.
According to him, offenders will be taken to Abuja for investigation and prosecution in line with the law.
Etaifo expressed confidence that the security measures already put in place, together with the planned deployment of personnel, would guarantee a successful election.
He appealed to residents, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a hitch-free governorship poll.