The Commissioner of Police in-charge of the Osun State Governorship Election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, on Wednesday disclosed that 15,000 police personnel have been deployed to provide security during the August 15 gubernatorial poll in the state.

Etaifo said his early deployment for the exercise followed political tension and violence in Osun, which he said had led to attacks and gruesome killings in parts of the state. 

While addressing the deployed officers, who already were on ground at the state, at the Police Officers Mess in Osogbo, the CP cautioned them against any conduct that could compromise the election.

He pointedly told them that “anyone caught undermining a free and fair election, whether a police officer, political actors, or members of any political party, would be dealt with under the law”.

Etaifo stated that violators of electoral laws would be moved straight to Abuja, and that no one arrested in Osun during or after the election would be taken elsewhere first.

He said the order applies because the election is being treated as a federal government election.

He added that the 15,000 police force and n the state includes conventional police officers, as well as specialists and other units such as dog section, medical personnel, PMF and that the DIG and AIG overseeing the operations are also expected to be involved.