The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, vigilance groups, hunters’ associations and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations for the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The police said only accredited and authorised security agencies would be permitted to undertake election-related security duties, warning political parties, candidates and their supporters against engaging, arming or deploying non-state security groups during the poll.
Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday as the police intensified preparations for the governorship election.
According to the statement, the directive covers Amotekun, the Joint Civilian Task Force, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch organisations and other similar outfits.
He said the groups would have no role in escorting election materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints, carrying firearms or performing any other election-security function.
The police spokesperson said the restriction was part of measures designed to prevent intimidation, violence and other forms of disruption during the election.
The Police warned political parties, governorship candidates, their supporters and residents of the state against acts capable of undermining the peaceful conduct of the election.
It said the police would not tolerate electoral violence, intimidation, thuggery or any attempt by individuals or groups to interfere with voters, election officials or the electoral process.
It specifically listed ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote-buying and clashes between supporters of rival political parties among offences that would attract decisive security action.
According to Forces, individuals who commit or sponsor such offences will be arrested and prosecuted, irrespective of their political affiliation, social status or connections.
‘Political parties, candidates, and the public are warned against engaging, arming, or deploying any non-state security outfit for election-related purposes,’ the statement said.
The police further warned that members of unauthorised security outfits who participate in election-related activities, as well as their sponsors, would be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law.
The Force also reiterated its prohibition on the possession or use of firearms, dangerous weapons and other offensive materials around polling units and collation centres.
It said the only exception would be firearms lawfully carried by accredited security personnel deployed for election duties.
The police said election security operations would be handled by authorised federal security and law-enforcement agencies, including the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCS) and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC).
The deployment, the Force said, is aimed at ensuring that voters are able to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation, while also protecting election personnel, materials and facilities.
The police warned that anyone found in possession of election materials without lawful authority, or involved in inciting violence or disrupting the electoral process, would be arrested and prosecuted.
It also cautioned political actors against using security groups outside the officially recognised election-security architecture to gain an advantage or intimidate opponents.
The Force urged residents to remain peaceful and cooperate with authorised security personnel throughout the election period, stressing that political differences must not be allowed to degenerate into violence.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for Saturday, August 15, with the police expected to deploy personnel across the state to secure polling units, collation centres and other critical locations.
The NPF said it remained committed to providing a secure environment for the election and ensuring that all participants operate within the provisions of the law.