Nigeria Deploys 15,000 Police to Secure Osun Governorship Election

The Nigeria Police Force is deploying approximately 15,000 personnel to secure the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15. Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu announced a security plan that places at least four officers at each of the 3,673 polling units to counter cult-related violence and political tension. To prevent local interference, Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale Etaifo stated that any individuals arrested for electoral offenses will be transferred immediately to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for prosecution.

This mobilization follows reports from Yiaga Africa of rising political violence, including 34 fatalities between June 2025 and June 2026. The monitoring group identified 13 high-risk local government areas, with Osogbo and Irewole categorized as critical. In response to these tensions, Disu has asked the state's commissioner of police to step aside in favor of an assistant inspector-general and will withhold the names of senior officers assigned to local government areas until election day.

Simultaneously, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) is deploying operatives to all 30 local government areas to monitor and eradicate vote-buying. Resident Anti-Corruption Commissioner Yusuf Olatunji led a street rally in Osogbo to warn residents that both the givers and receivers of bribes will be prosecuted. The election features 14 candidates, including incumbent governor Ademola Adeleke, who is seeking reelection under the Accord Party.