Police Tighten Security in Osun, Deploy Helicopters, Drones Ahead of Poll

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified security operations across Osun State ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, deploying helicopters, drones, Mobile Police Force personnel and other security assets across the state.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Iniedu Okokon, disclosed the deployment on Friday during a briefing at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo.

According to him, the police air component is already operational, with helicopter and drone units conducting surveillance patrols across the state to monitor potential security threats.

The police said one unit of the Mobile Police Force has been deployed to each of Osun’s 30 local government areas, while two combat-ready armed MOPOL units have been assigned to protect INEC facilities.

Seven units of the Special Protection Unit have also been deployed to secure the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials and protect election officials.

The police further said four unarmed personnel would be stationed at each polling unit across the state. With more than 3,700 polling units in Osun, the arrangement is expected to provide a visible security presence throughout Saturday’s voting exercise.

The command said security threat assessments had been conducted across all 30 local government areas, with personnel deployed according to identified risks. Covert operatives have also been positioned to gather intelligence and respond to emerging threats.

As part of the security measures, vehicular movement across Osun State will be restricted from midnight on Friday into Saturday. The police said the restriction is intended to facilitate the secure conduct of the election and movement of electoral personnel and materials.

Police authorities also warned that vote-buying and other electoral offences would not be tolerated, directing officers to arrest and prosecute anyone caught engaging in such activities.

The heightened security comes against the backdrop of concerns over election-related violence in Osun. Police authorities have previously acknowledged cases of cult clashes and alleged politically motivated violence and said investigations into some incidents are ongoing.

The police have nevertheless assured voters, INEC officials and other election personnel of their neutrality and safety, urging eligible voters to turn out and exercise their constitutional right to vote.

The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with 15 candidates contesting the election.