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Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against violence, intimidation and other forms of electoral malpractice ahead of Saturday's governorship election in Osun State.
In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) said anyone found attempting to disrupt the electoral process would face the full weight of the law.
The police expressed concern over recurring election offences such as ballot box snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and violent clashes between rival political supporters, stressing that such acts would not be tolerated during the poll.
The Force warned that both perpetrators and sponsors of electoral violence would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of their political affiliation or social status.
The police also declared that election security remains the exclusive responsibility of constitutionally recognised security agencies, warning that non-state security outfits have no role in the conduct of the election.
It specifically barred the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters' associations, neighbourhood watch groups and other quasi-security organisations from escorting election materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints or carrying arms during the exercise.
According to the statement, only authorised agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and other statutory bodies, have been approved for election security duties.
The police said personnel from the various agencies would be deployed across all 30 local government areas of Osun State to secure polling units, collation centres, electoral materials, election officials, observers, journalists and voters.
The Force further warned political parties and candidates against recruiting or sponsoring unauthorised security groups for election-related activities, saying anyone involved would be arrested and prosecuted.
It also reiterated that firearms, dangerous weapons and other offensive materials are prohibited at polling units and collation centres, except those lawfully carried by accredited security personnel on official election duty.
The police added that anyone caught engaging in thuggery, obstructing electoral officials, unlawfully possessing election materials, or making hate speech capable of inciting violence would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
The Inspector-General directed all officers deployed for the election to conduct themselves professionally, impartially and in strict compliance with the rule of law and respect for human rights.
The Force also appealed to traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and members of the public to promptly report suspicious movements or activities to security agencies through designated emergency channels.
Reaffirming the Police's commitment to a peaceful election, the Inspector-General assured residents, political stakeholders and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure that every eligible voter exercises their constitutional right without fear, intimidation or harassment.
