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The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed reports alleging that hundreds of officers deployed for the August 15, 2026, Osun State governorship election were abandoned in the state without adequate food and welfare.
In a statement issued on Friday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the police described the reports as misleading, explaining that the continued deployment of personnel in Osun was part of standard post-election security operations.
According to the Force, retaining officers after an election is an established operational practice aimed at preventing post-election violence, responding to emerging security threats and ensuring a smooth return to normal policing.
The statement noted that the duration of such deployments is determined solely by prevailing operational and security requirements.
The police also rejected allegations that the deployed personnel had been neglected or denied their welfare entitlements.
It maintained that all officers assigned to election duty had received their approved allowances and that the appropriate command structures remained responsible for their welfare throughout the deployment.
The Force said portraying the planned post-election deployment as institutional neglect misrepresented operational realities and could undermine the morale of personnel as well as public confidence in the police.
Reaffirming its commitment to the welfare of its personnel, the NPF said it would continue to deploy officers strategically across the country to protect lives, property and maintain public peace whenever necessary.
The police also urged media organisations and online platforms to verify claims, particularly those based on anonymous sources, before publishing reports capable of misleading the public or undermining ongoing security operations.
