Osun Election: Police Order Statewide Movement Restriction From Midnight
By Njideka Agbo
OSOGBO — The Nigeria Police Force has announced a statewide restriction of vehicular movement in Osun State from midnight on Friday as security agencies tighten preparations for Saturday’s governorship election.
The restriction is part of the security measures designed to ensure a peaceful and orderly election and facilitate the movement and protection of electoral personnel and materials across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, announced the measure on Friday during a security briefing at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo.
According to him, movement will be restricted except for persons on essential or security duties and eligible voters travelling to cast their ballots.
The police said extensive security assets had been deployed across the state, including helicopters and drones for aerial surveillance.
A Police Mobile Force unit has also been assigned to each of the 30 local government areas, with the units operating under the supervision of senior police officers.
In addition, combat ready PMF personnel have been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission office, while Special Protection Units personnel will escort electoral materials and provide security for INEC officials.
Iniedu assured residents that the police would remain neutral throughout the election, stressing that their primary responsibility was to protect lives and property.
He urged parents and guardians to ensure that underage children did not participate in voting or electoral violence, while encouraging eligible voters to come out peacefully and exercise their constitutional rights.
On vote buying, the police spokesman said the Inspector General of Police had directed election supervisors to arrest and prosecute anyone caught engaging in the practice.
He also disclosed that a 24 hour police call centre had been activated to receive complaints concerning misconduct by officers deployed for the election.
The police further assured political stakeholders, electoral officials and members of the National Youth Service Corps involved in the election of adequate protection.
The command said investigations into previous cases of politically motivated clashes and attacks in parts of the state were ongoing, with some cases already before the courts.
The police urged residents to remain peaceful, law abiding and vigilant throughout the electoral process, assuring the public that security personnel had been adequately prepared to safeguard voters, electoral officials and election materials.
