The police have arrested 295 suspects in connection with various incidents recorded during the Osun State governorship election held on Saturday.
Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, disclosed that 293 of the suspects had been released on bail following screening, while two others remained in custody for further investigation and prosecution.
Speaking with The PUNCH, Iniedu said the two suspects still in custody would be investigated further before being prosecuted for offences established against them.
“295 suspects were arrested during the election, and 293 have been released on bail after screening. So we have two of them in custody for prosecution,” he said.
The arrests formed part of the security measures deployed across the state to prevent violence, vote-buying and other electoral offences during the poll.
The police had earlier warned political actors, their supporters and other stakeholders against actions capable of undermining the electoral process, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said it did not arrest any suspect during the election.
The NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, said the corps established comprehensive security structures across the state’s local government areas and wards to deter troublemakers and respond quickly to emerging threats.
He said the corps deployed a multi-layered security architecture involving armed and unarmed personnel to protect polling units and electoral materials.
According to Babawale, three fully armed patrol teams, equipped with Hilux vehicles, were stationed in each local government area to provide a visible deterrent and respond to major incidents.
He added that three unarmed personnel were deployed directly to every polling centre to maintain order and monitor activities.
“Two armed personnel were positioned 500 metres away from each polling centre, bringing the total deployment to five officers assigned to cover each polling unit,” he said.
The security agencies maintained that the measures were designed to safeguard voters, election officials and materials while ensuring a peaceful conduct of the Osun governorship election.
