15,000 Police Officers Headed to Osun for August 15 Governorship Poll
By Victor Idajil
Security will be tight in Osun State next year. The Nigeria Police Force says it’s deploying at least 15,000 officers across all 30 LGAs for the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
CP Samuel Etaifo, who will head police operations for the poll, made this known on Wednesday during a briefing with journalists at the Officers’ Mess in Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
He said the team won’t just be regular policemen. It will also include specialists, K9 dog handlers, medical staff, and officers of the Police Mobile Force, PMF.
“As I speak with you, the total number of officers that will come for this election should be nothing less than 15,000,” Etaifo stated.
He noted that a DIG and an AIG will also be on ground to supervise the operation, while he will serve as the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election.
Because of what he described as “heightened tension” in the state, Etaifo said he was sent in earlier than planned.
“We are supposed to arrive about four or five days before the election but because of the heightened tension, the IGP said I should come in being the junior officer,” he explained.
The CP had a clear message for anyone planning to cause trouble: stay away. He assured voters of adequate protection before, during, and after the election.
And for electoral offenders, the warning was even tougher.
“Any violator that is arrested will be moved straight to Abuja,” Etaifo said.
