POLICE DENY NEGLECT OF OFFICERS DEPLOYED FOR OSUN ELECTION

The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports that hundreds of officers deployed to Osun State for the August 15, 2026 governorship election have remained in the state for weeks without adequate food and basic welfare provisions.

The Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the continued deployment was part of established post-election security procedures and should not be interpreted as neglect.

According to the police, the personnel remained in Osun to sustain security, prevent possible post-election violence, respond to emerging threats and ensure a smooth return to normal policing.

The Force said the duration of the deployment was determined by operational and security needs.

It also rejected claims that the officers had been abandoned or denied welfare, stating that all personnel deployed for the election had received their approved entitlements.

The police added that command structures remained responsible for the welfare of officers throughout their deployment.

The Force criticised reports portraying the continued deployment as institutional neglect, warning that such reports could affect personnel morale and public confidence in the police.

It urged media organisations to verify information, particularly claims attributed to unnamed sources, before publishing reports that could mislead the public or undermine security operations.

The police reaffirmed their commitment to personnel welfare and said officers would continue to be deployed strategically where necessary to protect lives and property and maintain public peace.

The August 15 election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, who polled 511,067 votes against 444,815 votes recorded by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji.