The Nigeria Police Force has retained the more than 15,000 personnel deployed for the August 15 Osun State governorship election, with the officers expected to remain in the state to prevent possible post-election violence and contain emerging security threats.
The decision comes amid concerns that the relative peace witnessed during the election could be threatened by political disputes, lingering tensions over local government administration and attempts by rival groups to take control of motor parks and NURTW garages across the state.
The police have also deployed anti-riot officers and undercover operatives to strategic locations, flashpoints and major junctions as part of efforts to gather intelligence and respond quickly to any breakdown of law and order.
The heightened security presence is particularly significant given the history of political and union-related confrontations in parts of Osun, where control of local government structures and motor parks has often generated tension among competing interests.
Since May 2026, no fewer than 34 election-related violent incidents, resulting in 18 deaths, have been recorded in the state, according to available reports.
Although the governorship election was largely peaceful, pockets of violence were reported in some areas on election day, prompting concerns that political disagreements over the outcome could spill into the post-election period.
Speaking on the security arrangements, the Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, said the personnel deployed for the election had not been withdrawn, while anti-riot policemen had been positioned at identified flashpoints.
“The officers who came for the election are still on the ground. We have deployed anti-riot policemen to flashpoints and junctions across a few states.
“We have undercover agents moving from one point to the other, flipping out the intelligence and informing the police,” he said.
The continued deployment is expected to help the police monitor developments around local government areas, particularly in places where political disagreements could trigger confrontations over administrative control.
There are also concerns over possible attempts by rival factions to take over NURTW garages and motor parks following the election. Such disputes could quickly escalate into clashes if competing groups seek to establish control over lucrative transport locations.
The police, therefore, are maintaining a visible presence while simultaneously relying on undercover operatives to detect possible mobilisation of political thugs, union members and other groups capable of disrupting public order.
Iniedu said senior police officers were directly coordinating the operation, with the Deputy Inspector-General of Police, Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police involved in the post-election security arrangements.
“The DIG is coordinating the election on the ground. The AIG is on the ground. The CP is on the ground.
“So we are on full alert to ensure that nothing untoward happens as part of our post-election security plan,” he said.
Before the election, the police deployed more than 15,000 personnel and at least 30 Commissioners of Police to Osun to secure polling locations and prevent electoral violence.
A Deputy Inspector-General of Police was also deployed to coordinate the security operations.
With the election now over, the retention of the officers signals that the police consider the post-election period equally sensitive, particularly as political parties begin to assess the results and possible legal challenges emerge.
Beyond protecting election materials and monitoring political activities, the security deployment is expected to deter violence linked to local government tensions, control of motor parks and NURTW garages, as well as any attempt by political or other interest groups to exploit the transition period to settle scores.
The police said they remained on full alert and would continue to monitor developments across the state to ensure that the relative peace recorded during the election is sustained.
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