The commissioner of police for Osun governorship election, Samuel Etaifo, says 15,000 police operatives would be deployed for the August 15 election. He announced this at a news conference in Osogbo on Wednesday.

He said a deputy inspector-general of police and an assistant inspector-general of police in charge of election operations were also expected in the state for the election.

Mr Etaifo also said he was deployed to Osun two weeks before the election because he was the most junior of the senior election officers assigned to oversee the poll.

He disclosed that the IGP, Olatunji Disu, had visited the state weeks earlier to assess the security situation and observed the political tension. According to him, the I-G subsequently directed his deployment to the state to help douse the tension and prepare the ground for a peaceful election.

“He sent 16 units of the Mobile Police Force and gave us the mandate to maintain peace and calm before the election.

“We are to clear and prepare the ground for a peaceful, tension-free and successful election.

“We are also to assure the people of the state of their security and boost their confidence in the ability of the police ahead of the election,” Mr Etaifo explained.

He, however, warned that anyone who violated the electoral law, irrespective of status or political party affiliation, would be arrested and taken to Abuja for prosecution.

Mr Etaifo expressed confidence that the security architecture put in place for the election, coupled with measures implemented over the past months, would ensure a successful poll.

Mr Etaifo urged residents, political parties and other stakeholders to cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful election.

(NAN)