The Nigeria Police Force has stepped up security measures ahead of the Osun State governorship election, recovering 34 illegal firearms and deploying aerial surveillance equipment across the state.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, disclosed the recovery during a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo on Thursday.
According to Iniedu, investigations are ongoing to determine the source of the weapons and identify those responsible for possessing them illegally. He said suspects connected to the recovered firearms would be prosecuted after the investigation is concluded.
“With regards to illicit weapons, about 34 recovered arms in Osun State ahead of the election. Investigation is ongoing about it, after which there will be prosecution,” he said.
The recovery forms part of wider security preparations for the governorship poll, with the police also placing strict restrictions on the movement and use of weapons around polling locations.
Iniedu said no firearms or other weapons would be permitted at polling units during the election. He added that even the four police officers assigned to each polling unit would not carry firearms, in line with the provisions governing the conduct of elections.
Instead, the police plan to rely on other security arrangements at the polling centres. Iniedu said secret police personnel and other security operatives would be deployed alongside uniformed officers to monitor activities and profile voters and other persons present at the locations.
He said the measure was intended to prevent the introduction of weapons into polling areas while ensuring that security personnel could identify and respond to suspicious activities.
Beyond the polling units, the police have expanded their operational presence across Osun State. Iniedu had earlier announced that 15,000 police officers would be deployed for the election.
The Force PRO also confirmed that police helicopter and drone units had arrived in the state to provide aerial surveillance. The units are expected to monitor activities before the election, during voting and in the period immediately after the results are announced.
The security deployment comes amid efforts by the police and other stakeholders to ensure a peaceful electoral process and prevent violence or other forms of disruption.
With investigations continuing into the 34 recovered firearms, the police say those found to be behind the illegal weapons will face prosecution in accordance with the directives of the Inspector General of Police.
