OSOGBO, Osun State — The Nigeria Police Force has prohibited Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), neighbourhood watch organisations and other non-state security outfits from taking part in security operations during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The police said the affected groups are not authorised to escort electoral materials, guard polling units, establish checkpoints, carry firearms or perform other election-security duties.
The directive was contained in a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu.
The Force urged all affected organisations and their members to comply with the order, warning that anyone who attempts to participate in election security without authorisation could face arrest and prosecution.
Police name authorised security agencies
According to the police, election security in Osun will be handled by officially designated government security and law-enforcement agencies.
The agencies listed include the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service and Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The joint security deployment will cover all 30 local government areas of the state.
Security personnel are expected to protect polling units, collation centres, electoral materials, election officials, accredited observers, journalists and voters throughout the exercise.
The police said the arrangement was designed to ensure that the election is conducted in a secure environment and that eligible voters can cast their ballots without intimidation.
Warning against unauthorised security groups
The Force specifically warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against recruiting, arming or deploying unofficial security formations during the election.
It said no political actor would be permitted to use non-state security groups to influence voting, restrict movement or intimidate opponents.
The police warned that members of unauthorised outfits, as well as individuals or political actors sponsoring their deployment, could be arrested and prosecuted.
The directive comes amid heightened attention to security ahead of the Osun governorship poll, with authorities seeking to prevent violence and other forms of electoral malpractice.
Ballot snatching, vote buying targeted
The police also issued a warning against common electoral offences, including ballot-box snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes between supporters of rival political parties.
According to the Force, offenders will be treated according to the law regardless of their political affiliation or position.
Security personnel were also directed to prevent obstruction of electoral officials and unlawful possession of election materials.
The police said hate speech, incitement to violence, thuggery and other conduct capable of disrupting the election would attract enforcement action.
Weapons prohibited around polling centres
The Force further reiterated that firearms, dangerous weapons and other offensive materials would not be allowed around polling units and collation centres.
The only exception will be weapons lawfully carried by accredited security personnel performing official election duties.
The police urged political parties and their supporters to ensure that their activities remain peaceful and within the limits of the law.
IGP directs personnel to remain neutral
Inspector-General Disu directed commanders and officers deployed across Osun to perform their duties professionally and impartially.
The personnel were instructed to operate within the law while respecting the rights of voters, candidates, election officials and other stakeholders.
The police leadership also stressed the importance of neutrality, saying security personnel must not allow political affiliation or other considerations to influence their conduct.
Appeal to community leaders and observers
The Force called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, journalists and accredited election observers to support efforts to maintain peace.
Members of the public were encouraged to report suspicious movements, individuals or activities to the nearest security agency or established emergency channels.
The police said timely reporting could help security agencies respond to potential threats before they escalate.
Police assure voters of protection
The Nigeria Police Force assured residents of Osun State and other election stakeholders that adequate security arrangements were being put in place for the governorship election.
The Force said its priority was to protect voters, election officials and electoral materials while preventing attempts to undermine the credibility and peaceful conduct of the poll.
With Amotekun, hunters, CJTF, neighbourhood watch groups and other unauthorised formations barred from election-security duties, the police said only accredited government security agencies would be permitted to perform official security functions.
The Force urged voters to remain calm, avoid confrontation and exercise their democratic rights peacefully.
It maintained that any individual or group attempting to disrupt the election through violence, intimidation or unlawful security operations would face the full force of the law.
