Osun Election: 25,000 security personnel and materials mobilised
Sensitive election materials have arrived in Osogbo ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would draw ad-hoc personnel from a pool of over 30,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
The development comes as security agencies step up preparations, deploying at least 25,310 personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) across the state.
Sensitive election materials have arrived in Osogbo ahead of Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, as the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) announced it would draw ad-hoc personnel from a pool of over 30,000 National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members.
The development comes as security agencies step up preparations, deploying at least 25,310 personnel from the Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) across the state.
The Chief Press Secretary to the INEC Chairman, Adedayo Oketola, confirmed the planned deployment of NYSC members while updating reporters on preparations for the 15 August election. Although he could not provide the exact number of ad-hoc staff to be engaged, he clarified that selection would be made from the 30,000-strong pool.
Oketola noted that 2,339,233 voters are registered in Osun State, though updated figures for collected Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were not immediately available following the extension of the collection period.
Addressing logistics, Oketola stated that both sensitive and non-sensitive materials are currently warehoused at the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) in Osogbo for security reasons. Deployment to Local Government Areas and Registration Area Centres (RACs) will begin on Thursday, with ballot papers and Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices being dispatched on Friday under security escort.
“This is to ensure that we are able to deploy personnel and materials on Election Day in time for polling to open by 8:30 am,” Oketola explained, adding that auxiliary equipment such as generators and water tanks is also being delivered.
25,310 security personnel deployed
A total of 25,310 security personnel, including 15,000 police officers, 10,210 NSCDC personnel, and approximately 100 EFCC operatives, have been stationed across Osun State to secure the election, which features candidates from 14 political parties. Key contenders include incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress (APC), and Najeem Salam of the African Democratic Congress (ADC).
NSCDC Commandant-General, Prof. Abubakar Audi, ordered 10,000 officers from 10 neighbouring state commands to reinforce operations. Specialised units, including SWAT, K9, and intelligence squads, have been deployed to protect critical infrastructure, control crowds, and deter electoral malpractices.
The EFCC deployment aims specifically to curb vote-buying and financial inducements at polling stations.
Military presence at INEC headquarters
Armed military personnel, supported by three Armoured Personnel Carriers, took up positions at the INEC headquarters in Osogbo on Monday, taking over primary security duties alongside mobile police and NSCDC officers.
Osun INEC Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, confirmed that 12 of the 13 scheduled pre-election tasks have been completed, confirming full readiness for Saturday’s poll.
IPAC calls for restraint and transparency
The Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC) has urged political actors, INEC, and security agencies to maintain peace and neutrality. Speaking in Abuja, IPAC National Chairman Yusuf Dantalle expressed concern over rising political tensions and called on candidates to avoid inflammatory rhetoric.
Dantalle urged INEC to ensure transparent accreditation, timely material distribution, and accurate result collation. He also called on security agencies to operate strictly within their constitutional mandates without intimidating voters or political opponents.
