Osun election: Amotekun, others barred from participating in security operations

The Nigeria Police Force has restrained the Western Nigeria Security Network, (Amotekun), vigilante groups, Joint Civilian Task Force, CJTF, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups and neighbourhood watch outfits from taking part in security operations during the August 15, 2026, governorship election in Osun State.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the non-state and quasi-security formations had no role in election security, including escorting electoral materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints or bearing arms.

The police also urged all concerned to comply with the directive in the interest of peace, warning political parties, candidates, supporters and members of the public against violence, intimidation and thuggery during the election.

According to the police, recurring electoral offences such as ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes between rival supporters would not be tolerated. It added that anyone involved in such offences, either as a direct perpetrator or sponsor, would be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of political affiliation or status.

It, therefore, identified the Department of State Services, DSS, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service and Federal Road Safety Corps, FRSC, among the authorised agencies for election security.

It said the joint deployment would cover all 30 local government areas of Osun State, including polling units and collation centres.

The Force also warned political parties, candidates and the public against engaging, arming or deploying any unauthorised security outfit for election-related activities.

“Any member or sponsor of such unauthorised outfits will be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” it said.