The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed about 15,000 personnel to provide security for the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
It warned politicians, electoral officials and security personnel against any attempt to manipulate the process.
The Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, Samuel Erale Etaifo, disclosed this on Wednesday in Osogbo. He said the deployment includes Deputy Inspectors General, Assistant Inspectors General, Commissioners of Police, Police Mobile Force personnel and other specialised units to ensure a peaceful poll.
Etaifo warned that anyone arrested for serious electoral offences would be transferred to the Force Headquarters in Abuja for investigation and prosecution.
He stressed that the police would not tolerate vote buying, ballot snatching, violence, voter intimidation or any other form of electoral malpractice.
He also assured residents that the police would remain neutral and professional throughout the exercise, promising equal opportunities for all political parties. He added that officers found compromising the process or colluding with politicians would face disciplinary action.
The police commissioner urged residents to cooperate with security agencies, remain law-abiding and report suspicious activities, expressing confidence that adequate measures had been put in place to guarantee a peaceful, free and credible governorship election.
