Osun Governorship Election: IGP Disu Deploys DIG Ishyaku Mohammed to Lead Security Operations
Police announce comprehensive security measures, prohibit armed escorts and unauthorised groups from participating in election duties
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has deployed Deputy Inspector-General of Police Ishyaku Mohammed to Osun State to coordinate police security operations for the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The deployment forms part of a broader security strategy by the Nigeria Police Force to protect voters, election officials, sensitive materials and critical facilities before, during and after the poll.
The election date is consistent with the official timetable published by the Independent National Electoral Commission, which scheduled the Osun governorship election for August 15, 2026.
In a statement issued from Force Headquarters in Abuja on Wednesday, Force Public Relations Officer CSP Ani Iniedu said DIG Mohammed would oversee the police component of the election-security arrangement across the state.
The deployment was also announced through the official Nigeria Police Force platform.
According to the statement, DIG Mohammed will work with other security agencies under the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security, commonly known as ICCES.
He will be supported by Assistant Inspectors-General of Police and Commissioners of Police assigned to strategic locations across Osun State’s three senatorial districts.
The senior officers are expected to supervise personnel, coordinate intelligence gathering and strengthen the Force’s capacity to respond promptly to possible security threats.
The arrangement is designed to provide coordinated security coverage across polling units, collation centres and other locations connected to the conduct of the election.
Police authorities said the deployment would prioritise intelligence-led policing and cooperation among participating security agencies. This is intended to prevent violence, maintain public order and ensure that voters can exercise their constitutional rights without intimidation.
Voters and election materials to receive protectionThe Nigeria Police Force said adequate arrangements had been made to protect voters, officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission, election materials, polling units and collation centres.
Accredited election observers and media practitioners covering the election are also expected to receive security protection while performing their duties.
The Force said its security operations would remain active throughout the election period, including before voting begins, during accreditation and voting, at the collation stage and after the announcement of results.
The measures come amid the usual concerns surrounding electoral violence, voter intimidation, ballot snatching and clashes between supporters of rival political parties.
The police did not disclose the total number of personnel being deployed in the statement. However, the involvement of senior officers across the three senatorial districts indicates that the operation will involve coordinated command and supervision at multiple levels.
IGP Disu warned political actors, their supporters and individuals planning to disrupt the election that the police would take firm action against electoral offences.
The Force specifically identified ballot snatching, voter intimidation and political thuggery as prohibited activities that could result in immediate arrest and prosecution.
Other offences prohibited under Nigerian electoral law include vote buying, destruction of election materials, impersonation, unlawful possession of ballot papers and disruption of voting or collation processes.
Political parties and their supporters were urged to comply with the law and allow voters to make their choices peacefully.
The warning is intended to discourage individuals or groups from using violence, threats or other illegal means to influence the outcome of the election.
Police authorities also called on candidates and party leaders to caution their supporters and avoid statements or actions capable of increasing tension.
The Inspector-General of Police reaffirmed the prohibition on armed escorts, security aides and other unauthorised persons accompanying politicians or prominent individuals to polling units and collation centres.
Under the directive, political officeholders and other VIPs are expected to vote without armed security personnel around the immediate voting area.
The restriction is intended to prevent intimidation and ensure that polling centres remain accessible to all eligible voters, regardless of their political affiliation or social status.
State-established security outfits, quasi-security organisations and private security companies have also been prohibited from participating in election-security duties.
Only agencies officially assigned responsibilities under the recognised election-security structure are authorised to perform such functions.
The directive means that unauthorised local security groups must not patrol polling centres, handle election materials, control voters or carry out enforcement activities connected to the election.
The Nigeria Police Force reassured residents, voters and visitors that adequate measures had been put in place to maintain security throughout Osun State.
Eligible voters were encouraged to participate in the election peacefully and without fear.
The Force also pledged that personnel deployed for the election would conduct themselves professionally and impartially while respecting citizens’ fundamental rights.
Maintaining neutrality will be particularly important in building public confidence in the election. Security personnel are expected to protect all voters and candidates without favouring any political party.
The police said their responsibility is to secure the process and enable INEC to conduct the election in a safe environment, rather than interfere with voters’ choices or the administration of the poll.
The appointment of Olatunji Rilwan Disu as Inspector-General of Police was ratified by the Nigeria Police Council in March 2026, according to an official State House statement.
Residents have been advised to remain peaceful, obey lawful security instructions and promptly report suspicious activities to the appropriate authorities.
Voters are also expected to avoid carrying weapons, wearing clothing capable of concealing their identity or engaging in conduct that may create disorder around polling and collation centres.
The success of the security operation will depend on cooperation among the police, other participating agencies, INEC, political parties, civil-society organisations and members of the public.
As Osun residents prepare to choose their governor, the Nigeria Police Force has maintained that its personnel will protect the electoral process, respond to threats and enforce the law against anyone attempting to disrupt the election.
The Force reiterated its commitment to professionalism, neutrality, respect for human rights and the protection of every eligible citizen’s right to vote freely.
Source: Nigeria Police Force statement signed by CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on August 12, 2026.
