… Movement restricted from midnight Friday to 6 pm Saturday
… CSP Iniedu urges parties, candidates and voters to maintain peace
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has warned the Amotekun Corps and other non-state security groups against participating in security operations for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The Force said only security agencies recognised by the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria would be permitted to perform security and law-enforcement duties alongside the police during the election.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Ani Iniedu, who said no vigilante organisation, non-state security group or other unauthorised body would be permitted to assume the functions of recognised security agencies.
Iniedu said the directive was part of measures adopted by the police to ensure that the August 15 election is conducted in a peaceful, secure and orderly atmosphere.
The FPRO specifically directed such groups to stay away from election-related security operations and to refrain from activities that could intimidate voters, disrupt the electoral process, or threaten public peace.
The police also announced a restriction on movement across Osun State as part of the security arrangements for the poll.
According to Iniedu, the restriction will commence at 12:00 midnight today, Friday, August 14, and end at 6:00 p.m. tomorrow, Saturday, August 15, 2026.
He urged residents to comply with the directive and to cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state.
Only persons and categories of movement specifically exempted by the appropriate authorities, he said, would be allowed to move during the period.
The police spokesperson further warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against acts capable of triggering violence or disrupting the electoral process.
He said the Force remained committed to providing a level playing field for all political actors and eligible voters, while ensuring that the election was conducted in a peaceful and secure environment.
The latest directive comes as security agencies intensify preparations for Saturday’s governorship election, with heightened attention on the conduct of political actors, voters and other stakeholders.
The police have repeatedly stressed that election security is a constitutional responsibility of recognised security agencies and that the presence or activities of unauthorised groups could create confusion, intimidation and avoidable tension at polling locations.
Against this backdrop, the Force said the deployment of recognised security personnel across Osun was designed to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials and other stakeholders before, during and after the election.
Iniedu appealed to residents to remain calm and law-abiding throughout the voting period.
He also urged members of the public to promptly report any suspicious or unlawful activity to the police and other constitutionally recognised security agencies.
The FPRO reiterated that the police would work with other authorised security agencies to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that voters can exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
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