Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has declared that the Nigeria Police Force is fully prepared to provide adequate security for the forthcoming Osun State governorship election, assuring Nigerians that officers will remain neutral and professional throughout the exercise.
Speaking on Friday during a meeting with civil society organisations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, Disu described the poll as a critical exercise ahead of the 2027 general elections, stressing that the Force had concluded extensive operational planning to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.
“We know this is a litmus test for us. We are not afraid; we are ever ready to take up the challenge of handling this election. If we need to deploy more officers, I will do that. We have assessed the situation, and we are confident we can control it,” the IGP said.
He disclosed that police tactical teams had been deployed to Osun well ahead of the election in response to the growing political tension and recurring security incidents across parts of the state.
According to him, the Force has also introduced a new operational arrangement by deploying a Commissioner of Police in charge of elections ahead of the poll, while the Assistant Inspector-General of Police responsible for elections will oversee operations to strengthen transparency and public confidence.
Disu explained that senior police officers would only be informed of their specific local government postings shortly before election day to prevent politicians from influencing security deployments.
“Our political party is the Nigeria Police Force. We have told our officers that they must remain neutral. Everybody is looking up to us, and we cannot afford to disappoint Nigerians,” he stated.
The police boss revealed that security personnel earmarked for the election would exceed those deployed for the recent Ekiti governorship election because of Osun’s 30 local government areas, 332 wards and 3,673 polling units.
He said the Force plans to deploy at least four police officers to every polling unit, supported by personnel from other security agencies, to ensure prompt response to any security threat.
The IGP also issued a stern warning to officers against compromising the electoral process, saying any personnel found engaging in misconduct would face disciplinary action.
“Officers know the punishment for compromising this election. Anyone found wanting will be sanctioned accordingly. We are determined to ensure accountability and professionalism throughout the exercise,” he said.
Earlier, Executive Director of the Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Centre (CISLAC), Auwal Musa Rafsanjani, urged the police to maintain professionalism and impartiality before, during and after the election.
“The safety and security of Nigerians during this very important exercise is critical. Our responsibility as civil society is to support security agencies in carrying out their duties without bias or anything that will erode public confidence in the electoral process,” Rafsanjani said.
Also speaking, Executive Director of Yiaga Africa, Samson Itodo, presented findings from civil society election monitoring, revealing that 13 of Osun’s 30 local government areas have been classified as high-risk because of persistent political violence, killings and heightened tension.
According to Itodo, civil society organisations documented 44 violent incidents and 34 fatalities between June 2025 and June 2026, warning that insecurity and perceived bias by security agencies could undermine public confidence in the election.
He urged the police to sustain the professionalism displayed during previous elections by ensuring transparent deployment, enforcing clear rules of engagement and maintaining effective communication with election observers and journalists.
“Preventing violence alone is not sufficient. The police must also demonstrate impartiality because a professionally secured election whose outcome is accepted by stakeholders will send a strong signal ahead of the 2027 general elections,” Itodo said.
The meeting formed part of ongoing consultations between the Nigeria Police Force and civil society organisations aimed at strengthening election security, improving stakeholder collaboration and ensuring a peaceful governorship election in Osun State.
