Osun: IGP Bars Amotekun, Deploys DIG Mohammed for Gov Election
The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, along with other quasi-security and private security organisations, from participating in security operations during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, while deploying a senior officer to coordinate the police’s overall security arrangement.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police explicitly named the groups barred from election-security duties, including vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups and neighbourhood watch outfits. According to the Force, these non-state and quasi-security formations have no role in election security, including escorting electoral materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints or bearing arms.
The police warned that any member or sponsor of such unauthorised outfits deployed for election-related activities would be arrested and dealt with according to the law. The Force also cautioned political parties, candidates, and their supporters against recruiting, arming, or deploying such groups for election-related activities, stressing that only constitutionally recognised security agencies are authorised to handle election security duties.
Alongside the ban, the IGP announced the deployment of Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Ishyaku Mohammed, to Osun State to coordinate security operations for the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026. According to the statement, DIG Mohammed will 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 (ICCES). He is expected to be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police strategically deployed across the state’s three senatorial districts to supervise operations and strengthen intelligence-led policing.
The Force also reaffirmed a separate ban on armed escorts, security aides, and other unauthorised persons accompanying political figures or VIPs to polling units or collation centres on election day. According to the police, election security remains the sole responsibility of constitutionally recognised agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps.
The Commissioner of Police deployed for the election, Erale Etaifo, had earlier disclosed that approximately 15,000 police personnel would be mobilised across the state’s 30 local government areas, comprising conventional policemen, specialists, members of the Police Mobile Force, the police dog section, and medical personnel.
The IGP directed all commanders and personnel deployed for the election to operate professionally, impartially, and firmly, in line with the rule of law and respect for human rights, while warning political actors and troublemakers that ballot snatching, voter intimidation, political thuggery, and other electoral offences would attract prompt arrest and prosecution. The Force further called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and accredited observers to report suspicious persons or activities to the nearest security agency.
Saturday’s election is expected to feature 14 candidates, including incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke, and comes amid heightened tension in the state, including recent violent incidents and disputes among rival political camps.
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