The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, as well as other quasi-security groups and private security organisations from participating in security operations for the Osun State governorship election.

The election is scheduled to hold on Saturday, August 15.

Disu also reaffirmed the ban on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures and VIPs to polling units and collation centres on election day.

The IGP warned political actors, their supporters and what he described as “all intending troublemakers” that acts such as ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery and other electoral offences would attract immediate arrest and prosecution.

“State-established security outfits, quasi-security groups, and private security organisations are equally barred from election-security duties, consistent with established NPF election-security directives,” Disu said in a statement issued on Wednesday, August 12, and signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu.

Meanwhile, the IGP has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police, DIG Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations for the election.

The deployment is part of the Nigeria Police Force’s measures to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible electoral process across the state.

DIG Mohammed is expected to coordinate the police component of the election security arrangement and work closely with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security.

He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations, strengthen intelligence-led policing and ensure swift responses to emerging security threats.

The police said adequate security arrangements had been put in place to protect voters, INEC personnel, election materials, polling units, collation centres, accredited observers and media practitioners before, during and after the election.

The Force reassured residents, voters and visitors to the state of adequate security and urged eligible citizens to exercise their franchise peacefully and without fear.

It further reiterated its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of the electoral process throughout the election.