The Commissioner of Police in charge of the Osun governorship election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, disclosed on Wednesday that no fewer than 15,000 personnel have been deployed to secure the upcoming August 15 governorship poll in the state.
He explained that his recent redeployment to the state was necessitated by mounting tension and violence, which had resulted in attacks and violent incidents in certain areas.
Speaking during an interactive session with police personnel deployed for the election at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo, Etaifo sternly warned officers against any actions that could compromise the integrity of the exercise.
According to him, anyone caught trying to undermine a free and fair election, whether a police officer, political gladiator or member of a political party, will face the full wrath of the law.
“Arrested violators of electoral laws will be moved straight to Abuja. No one arrested here in Osun during or after the election will be taken lightly.
“This election is a federal assignment, and anyone arrested will be transferred to Abuja. That is the directive,” Etaifo stated.
He further detailed the composition of the security deployment, noting that the force is drawing personnel from various units to guarantee maximum security.
“As I speak with you, we are expecting nothing less than 15,000 officers for this election. This includes conventional police officers, specialists, the K9 (dog) section, medical personnel, and the Police Mobile Force (PMF). The DIG and AIG in charge of these operations are also coming.
“I am deployed here as the CP in charge of the election. While leadership typically arrives four or five days before the polls, the Inspector-General of Police directed me to resume early due to the heightened tension,” Etaifo added.
