Security has been further stepped up ahead of the Saturday, August 9, governorship election in Osun State, South-West Nigeria. Soldiers arrived in large numbers yesterday, promptly mounting roadblocks in strategic locations.

The soldiers, who arrived at night, were drafted to mount surveillance on all the roads leading to the state from the boundary of neighbouring Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Kwara and Ogun states, according to a Guardian report.

The report said the roadblocks caused traffic snare on busy roads in Osogbo, Ilesa, Ikirun and other towns and cities in the state as the soldiers searched vehicles at various checkpoints.

“The number of soldiers drafted to keep maintain security during the election could not be ascertained but a source said over 10,000 soldiers were likely to be involved in the special operation in the state,” the report said.

The election is expected to be hotly contested between the two main candidates – incumbent Governor Rauf Aregbesola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and his main rival, Senator Iyola Omisore of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

•Photo shows soldiers on patrol.