The Nigeria Police Force has announced the deployment of about 15,000 officers and personnel to provide security during the Osun State governorship election scheduled for 15 August.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Etaifo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo while addressing police personnel assigned to the poll.
Etaifo said the security deployment would comprise conventional police officers, specialised units, the Police Mobile Force (PMF), the canine unit and medical teams. He added that the operation would be supervised by a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) and an Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).
According to him, the Inspector-General of Police deployed him to Osun ahead of schedule because of heightened political tension in the state.
He explained that election security commanders are usually expected to arrive several days before polling, but the prevailing security situation prompted an earlier deployment to coordinate preparations.
The police commissioner urged all officers assigned to election duties to conduct themselves professionally, remain impartial and operate strictly within the law throughout the exercise.
He warned that any individual, regardless of status or position, found attempting to undermine the conduct of a free, fair and credible election would face the full weight of the law.
Etaifo also announced that anyone arrested for violating electoral laws during or after the election would be transferred to Abuja for investigation and prosecution, describing the governorship poll as a matter of national importance.
Residents of Osun State will vote on 15 August to elect a governor, with 14 candidates contesting the election, including the incumbent governor, Ademola Adeleke.
