Osun Poll: Police, NSCDC, EFCC Mobilise Over 25,000 Personnel For Election

No fewer than 25,310 security personnel have been deployed to Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, as security agencies  preparations to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

According to Ireporter Online, the deployment comprises 15,000 police officers, 10,210 personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and approximately 100 operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission.

The massive security operation comes as 14 political parties prepare to participate in the governorship election, with incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Accord Party, Bola Oyebamiji of the All Progressives Congress and Najeem Salaam of the African Democratic Congress among the prominent contenders.

The Commandant-General of the NSCDC, Prof. Abubakar Audi, directed the deployment of 10,000 additional personnel from neighbouring commands to strengthen the corps’ existing presence in Osun.

The personnel are being drawn from Oyo, Ondo, Ekiti, Ogun, Lagos, Kwara, Edo, Kogi, Delta and the Federal Capital Territory, with each command expected to contribute about 1,000 personnel.

The reinforcement will cover all 30 local government areas in the state, with personnel assigned to protect polling units, election officials, observers, journalists and residents.

The NSCDC spokesman, Afolabi Babawale, said specialised units had also been mobilised for the election.

Among them are the Commandant-General’s Special Intelligence Squad, Special Weapons and Tactics Unit, Specialised Female Squad, Mining Marshals, Special Strike Force, Crack Squad and K9 Unit.

According to the corps, the specialised formations will support intelligence gathering, crime prevention, crowd management, protection of critical infrastructure and other election-related operations.

The NSCDC also disclosed that its Deputy Commandant-General in charge of Operations, Ayuba Phillip, alongside designated Assistant Commandant-Generals and other senior officers, would relocate to Osun to supervise the security operation.

Audi directed personnel to maintain neutrality, professionalism and respect for voters throughout the electoral process.

He also warned individuals and groups planning to disrupt the election to desist, stressing that security agencies would not tolerate actions capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the poll.

The Nigeria Police Force had earlier announced the deployment of 15,000 officers across Osun, including personnel assigned to polling units, collation centres and other strategic locations.

The police said they would collaborate with other security agencies to maintain law and order and ensure voters could exercise their franchise without intimidation.

Meanwhile, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission is expected to deploy about 100 operatives to monitor the election, particularly to prevent vote buying and other forms of electoral inducement.

A senior EFCC official confirmed the deployment, saying the operatives would be stationed across the state to monitor and deter attempts to influence voters through financial inducements.

With the combined deployment, security agencies have significantly strengthened their presence across Osun as preparations intensify for the August 15 governorship election.