Force Public Relations Officer says mobile court is ready to prosecute offenders, warns officers against dereliction of duty
By Suleiman Aremu | Solaremnews
The Nigeria Police Force has warned residents, political actors, youths and other stakeholders in Osun State against electoral malpractices, violence and other acts capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
The Force Public Relations Officer, Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP) Ani Iniedu, gave the warning on Thursday, August 13, 2026, at a town hall meeting held at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters, Osogbo, as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, credible and orderly election in the state.
Iniedu urged parents, particularly mothers, to caution their children against allowing themselves to be used by politicians or other individuals to perpetrate electoral offences, stressing that anyone arrested for violating electoral laws would face prosecution.
He said the police were prepared to enforce the law against anybody found engaging in electoral malpractices, violence, intimidation, disruption of the voting process or any other criminal activity before, during and after the election.
According to him, a mobile court has been put in place to ensure that persons arrested for electoral offences are promptly prosecuted in accordance with the law.
He also warned that possession or movement of arms in violation of the law would attract arrest and prosecution, stressing that no individual or group would be allowed to compromise the security of the election.
The Force spokesperson further cautioned citizens and electoral stakeholders against taking the law into their own hands, saying the police would deal decisively with anyone whose actions threatened public peace or the integrity of the electoral process.
Iniedu also disclosed that the police would not shield any of its personnel found to have compromised their duties during the election.
He said police officers deployed for the exercise had been adequately briefed on the need to remain professional, impartial and committed to their constitutional responsibilities, adding that officers who defaulted would equally be subjected to disciplinary or legal action.
He said the police were committed to working with other constitutionally recognised security agencies to provide adequate security for voters, electoral officials, observers, journalists and other stakeholders throughout the election period.
In a significant clarification on the election security arrangement, Iniedu said quasi-security organisations, including the Osun Amotekun Corps, vigilante groups and hunters, would not participate in the election security operations.
He explained that the Nigeria Police Force, for the purpose of the governorship election, was working only with constitutionally recognised security agencies.
“We have spoken to them and told them that we will not need them for the period of this election,” he said, referring to the quasi-security groups.
The police spokesperson urged all stakeholders to respect the rules governing the election and cooperate with security personnel deployed to maintain law and order.
He also appealed to political parties, candidates, supporters, traditional and religious leaders, community leaders, youths and other residents to refrain from inflammatory statements and actions that could trigger violence.
Iniedu assured residents that the police and other authorised security agencies were prepared to respond to security threats and protect lives and property throughout the electoral process.
He further encouraged members of the public to provide useful information to security agencies, particularly where they noticed suspicious movements, planned violence or other activities capable of disrupting the election.
The Force Public Relations Officer commended stakeholders in Osun State for their cooperation and support towards ensuring a peaceful election.
He expressed appreciation to the media, political parties, civil society organisations, community leaders and other partners for their contributions to the preparations for the poll.
He said the police would continue to engage stakeholders and keep communication channels open before, during and after the election.
Iniedu also said the police had a 24-hour call centre through which members of the public could report security concerns or seek assistance during the electoral period.
He urged residents to remain calm, law-abiding and vigilant, assuring them that the police would continue to work to protect the electoral process and ensure that voters could exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
The town hall meeting provided an opportunity for the police and other stakeholders to discuss security arrangements, responsibilities and expectations ahead of Saturday’s governorship election, with emphasis on peaceful participation, strict compliance with electoral laws and the need for all actors to place the interest of Osun State above partisan considerations.
The police called on all stakeholders to work collectively to ensure that the election was conducted peacefully, stressing that the success of the exercise depended not only on security agencies but also on the responsible conduct of political parties, candidates, voters and the wider public.
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