Osun Poll: Police Deploy Drones, 30 PMF Units, Restrict Vehicular Movement

The Nigeria Police Force has assured residents of Osun State of adequate security before, during and after Saturday’s governorship election, saying it has deployed personnel, surveillance assets and other resources across the state to ensure a peaceful and credible poll.

The assurance was given on Friday, August 14, 2026, during a press briefing held at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo.

The briefing was addressed by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Anie Edem Iniedu (NIPR), who disclosed that the police air component and drone units had been deployed to the state and commenced surveillance operations across the 30 local government areas.

According to him, one unit of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) had also been deployed to each of the 30 local government areas to strengthen security and provide rapid response during the election.

He said the operations were being coordinated by Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners of Police deployed for the exercise.

The FPRO further disclosed that two units of armed PMF personnel had been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to assist in securing electoral materials and other critical election operations.

He added that seven personnel from the Special Protection Unit (SPU) would be responsible for the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials, as well as the protection of electoral officers.

“At the command, we have two units of armed mobile force personnel for quick response. We also have pockets of armed patrols around the town at various checkpoints,” Iniedu said.

The police spokesman said the force was working in collaboration with other security agencies to protect voters, electoral officers, political stakeholders and electoral materials throughout the election.

He also disclosed that administrative and oversight mechanisms had been put in place to ensure that police personnel complied with electoral laws and conducted themselves professionally.

Iniedu said a 24-hour call centre had been established in Osun State to receive complaints of professional misconduct involving police officers and other law enforcement personnel during the election.

He explained that complaints received through the centre would be investigated, with appropriate sanctions imposed on any officer found culpable of violating electoral laws or abusing his or her powers.

The FPRO further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olagunji Disu, had directed that four police officers be deployed to each polling unit in the state, alongside personnel from other security agencies.

He urged residents to remain calm and assured them that comprehensive security arrangements had been made to protect lives and property throughout the electoral process.

Iniedu also announced a restriction on vehicular movement across Osun State from midnight on Friday into Saturday as part of measures to prevent violence, voter intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice.

He urged parents and guardians to ensure that underage children and unregistered persons stayed away from polling units, stressing that the Independent National Electoral Commission would not tolerate underage voting or any other form of electoral misconduct.

The police spokesman equally warned against vote buying, describing it as an electoral offence that would attract immediate action.

According to him, the Inspector-General of Police had directed that anyone caught buying or selling votes would be arrested and prosecuted.

He therefore urged political parties, candidates, voters, election officials and other stakeholders to comply strictly with electoral laws and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful, orderly and credible governorship election in Osun State