Osun Poll: Police Chief Charges Officers to Remain Apolitical

By Micheal Chukwuebuka

The Commissioner of Police for the Osun governorship election, Samuel Erale Etaifo, has warned police officers deployed for the August 15 poll to remain apolitical and discharge their official duties without compromise.

Speaking during a session with deployed personnel at the Police Officers’ Mess in Osogbo, Etaifo disclosed that no fewer than 15,000 officers — including conventional police, specialists, the K9 unit, medical personnel, and the Police Mobile Force — have been deployed, with a Deputy Inspector-General and Assistant Inspector-General also overseeing operations.

He warned that anyone caught undermining the election’s integrity, whether a police officer, political actor, or party member, will face the full weight of the law, stating that violators arrested in Osun will be transferred straight to Force Headquarters in Abuja for prosecution.

Etaifo said his deployment followed mounting tension and violence in parts of the state, and stressed the exercise must be conducted peacefully and transparently.