Police Bar Amotekun, Vigilantes From Osun Governorship Election
The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.
The police warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against engaging, arming or deploying such groups for election-related activities, stressing that they have no role in securing the poll.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu. The Osun governorship election is scheduled to take place across the state’s 30 Local Government Areas on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Force listed Amotekun, vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch outfits and other non-state or quasi-security formations as groups not authorised to escort electoral materials, guard polling units, mount checkpoints or carry arms during the election.
The police warned that members or sponsors of any unauthorised security outfit deployed for election-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted. It also cautioned political parties, candidates, supporters and the public against violence, intimidation, thuggery, ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes between rival supporters.
According to the Force, election security is the responsibility of constitutionally recognised security agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and other statutory bodies.
The joint security deployment, it said, would cover all 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State, with personnel assigned to protect polling units, collation centres, electoral materials, officials, observers, journalists and voters.
The police further warned that firearms, dangerous weapons and offensive materials would not be allowed around polling units and collation centres, except those lawfully carried by accredited security personnel on election duty. Anyone found guilty of electoral offences, including thuggery, obstruction of electoral officials, unlawful possession of election materials, hate speech or incitement to violence, would be arrested and prosecuted.
The IGP directed officers deployed for the election to remain professional, impartial and firm while respecting human rights and adhering to the rule of law. The Force also urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and accredited observers to report suspicious persons, movements or activities to security agencies or established emergency channels.
The police assured the people of Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders of its commitment to providing a secure environment for the election, stressing that eligible voters must be able to exercise their franchise freely and without fear or intimidation.