The Police Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, has defended the heavy security deployment in Osun State, saying the measures are necessary to protect lives and ensure a peaceful election.
Following reports of the deployment of 35,000 police officers, 30 CSPs, a helicopter, a drone unit and two Mobile Police Force units for the Osun State election, Iniedu said the measures were necessary to ensure the safety of voters and prevent any security breaches during the exercise.
“It’s better to be safe than sorry. Every Nigerian life is precious to the Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces and the Inspector-General of Police. So, we’ll do everything to protect every Nigerian, leaving no stone unturned. Every personnel posted for the election has been properly trained in the use of force and firearms. We’re not over-militarizing Osun State; we’re just being safe,” he stressed.
Adding, he said the police had identified potential flashpoints across the state through covert security threat analysis, with both covert and overt operatives deployed to monitor the areas and respond swiftly to any emerging threats.
“Announcing flashpoints would make our electorate a little bit edgy, so I would prefer not to announce flashpoints for now. Before we commenced deployments for the elections, we had done our covert security threat analysis of the local government areas and identified flashpoints, positioning our deployments accordingly. Every flashpoint has active covert and overt operatives on the ground monitoring. As I speak to you, I am at the police headquarters in Osogbo. The DIG is on the ground, the AIG is on the ground, and the CPs are on the ground. We are monitoring reports from all around the local government areas. We have sent out our emergency and complaint numbers, and we urge citizens of Osun who notice anything to call; there will be a swift response,” he assured.
On whether there are any arrangements for a mobile court for election offenders, CSP Iniedu said the Electoral Act does not provide for mobile courts, but the police are prepared to arrest, investigate and prosecute anyone involved in electoral offences.
“The Electoral Act does not provide for the use of mobile courts. However, we are ready for any troublemakers. We will be decisive on those who want to flout regulations or involve themselves in electoral offenses. We have robust plans on ground to arrest, investigate, and prosecute such offenders immediately,” he stated.
On the deployment of firearms at polling units, Iniedu said police personnel stationed directly at polling units would remain unarmed in compliance with the Electoral Act, while armed Mobile Police units would be on standby across the 30 local government areas to respond to any incidents.
“First of all, regarding our deployments: we have a unit of armed, combat-ready Mobile Police personnel in every local government area of Osun State—we have 30 local government areas, so we have 30 units. That is for our standby operations, patrols, and monitoring.
“Now, as provided by the Electoral Act, the police deploy unarmed personnel directly to the polling units. The Electoral Act does not permit the use or carrying of any weapon within 100 meters of any polling unit. The fact that our men at the polling units are unarmed does not mean we lack extensive arrangements for immediate and prompt responses to any incidents.
“We do not carry arms at the polling units so we don’t intimidate voters. Having unarmed personnel also allows us to assist those with special needs, disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly. The policy complies with the Electoral Act of our nation, but we have standby units on ground that will respond decisively to any infraction,” he said.
Addressing concerns over police neutrality in the election, Iniedu said the force’s only allegiance in the election is to peace, assuring voters that security agencies are fully prepared to protect them and respond decisively to any infractions.
“The police are partisan—our only candidate is peace. That is the candidate we support for this election. The police were created to maintain law and order and protect life and property, which is what we are doing during elections,” he stressed.
He added that aerial surveillance had been intensified across Osogbo and remote areas of the state, while the Inspector-General of Police was receiving hourly updates on the deployment and operations of personnel.
“Earlier today, the drone team and helicopter team landed, and we conducted extensive aerial surveillance across Osogbo. We are also monitoring the deployment of our teams, especially in the remote areas of Osun State. The IGP himself is monitoring the activities of the DIGs, AIGs, and CPs on the ground, receiving feedback hourly,” he disclosed.
CSP Iniedu also warned non-state actors to stay away from the election, stressing that security operations would be handled strictly by constitutionally recognised law enforcement agencies.
“We are passionate about this election because it serves as a test of our capabilities ahead of the general elections. I want to assure residents and voters of Osun State: the police are on the ground, working in excellent collaboration with other security agencies. The ICCES is fully operational. We have also warned non-state actors—those not recognized constitutionally—to stay off the elections, as security will be provided strictly by constitutionally recognized law enforcement agencies.
“We assure residents and citizens of Osun State, the Land of Virtue, to come out en masse and cast their votes, confident that the police and other law enforcement agencies are on ground to protect them and handle any infraction decisively,” he concluded.
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