By VICTOR ADEOTI

The Nigeria Police Force has assured residents of Osun of adequate security ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Edem Iniedu, gave the assurance while addressing a news conference on Friday in Osogbo.

Iniedu said the police had deployed personnel across the state to ensure a peaceful and credible poll.

He said that air and drone units had also been deployed to the state and had commenced surveillance patrols.

The police spokesperson said a unit of the Police Mobile Force (PMF) had been deployed in each of the 30 local government areas, with operations coordinated by commissioners and deputy commissioners of police.

He explained that two units of armed PMF personnel had been deployed in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) office to assist with the movement of electoral materials and other critical operations.

Iniedu further stated that seven Special Protection Units personnel would be responsible for the movement of sensitive and non-sensitive electoral materials as well as the protection of electoral officers.

“At the command, we have two units of armed mobile force personnel for quick response.

“We also have pockets of armed patrols around the town at various checkpoints,” he said.

The police spokesman said the force was working closely with other security agencies to protect the lives of citizens, electoral officers and electoral materials throughout the period of the election.

He added that the police had put in place administrative and oversight mechanisms to ensure that the personnel complied with electoral laws and conducted themselves professionally

Iniedu disclosed that a 24-hour call centre had been established to receive complaints of professional misconduct against police officers and other law enforcement personnel during the election.

He said that complaints received would be investigated and appropriate sanctions imposed on any officer found culpable of violating electoral laws.

He further disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr Olatunji Disu, had directed that each polling unit in the state be manned by four police officers, alongside personnel from other security agencies.

The police spokesman urged residents to remain calm, assuring them that adequate security arrangements had been put in place across the state.

He also announced that vehicular movement would be restricted across the state from midnight on Friday to Saturday as part of measures to ensure a peaceful election.

Iniedu urged parents and guardians to ensure that underage children and unregistered voters stayed away from polling units, stressing that the police would not tolerate underage voting or any form of electoral misconduct.

He also warned against vote buying, describing it as an electoral malpractice that would not be tolerated during the election.

According to him, the inspector-general of police has directed that anyone caught buying or selling votes will be arrested and prosecuted immediately.

He urged all stakeholders and residents of the state to comply with electoral laws and cooperate with security agencies to ensure a peaceful and orderly governorship election. (NAN)

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