Soldiers at Entry Points, as Osun Goes into Lockdown, with 1 AIG, 30 CPs, 15,000 Operatives for Election Security Duty

Operatives of the Nigeria Police Force on election in Osun State have staged a patrol on the streets of the capital, Osogbo, as the states gears up for security lockdown for the governorship election tomorrow.

Reports indicate that the route march involving armed and unarmed police personnel is part of efforts to reassure residents of their safety and to demonstrate the readiness of the police to maintain law and order before, during and after the election.

The security operation for the election, involving about fifteen thousand police personnel, is being led by a Deputy Inspector General of Police, with the support of thirty Commissioners of Police.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP ANIETIE INIEDU, informed journalists in Osogbo about the development during a press conference.

CSP INIEDU said two units of the Mobile Police Force, comprising over one hundred and twenty personnel, have been stationed at the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, in Osogbo.

INIEDU further said a unit of about sixty personnel of the Police Mobile Force will be deployed in each of the Local Government Areas across the state, under the coordination of a Commissioner of Police.

The Force PRO also confirmed that operatives of the Police helicopters and drones' units are equally in Osogbo for area surveillance throughout the duration of the elections.

The Police spokesman confirmed that troops from the Nigerian Army have also been mobilized to man all entry points into Osun State, beginning from Midnight today, Friday.

He said the state will be in a lockdown from 12am on Saturday, and vehicular movement will not be allowed, except for those on essential duties.

The Force PRO advised parents to warn their children against engaging in electoral offences, including intimidation, stalking, vote-buying and ballot-box snatching.