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The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations during Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The police also warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against recruiting, arming or deploying such groups for election-related activities, stressing that election security would be handled only by constitutionally recognised security agencies.
The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.
The Osun governorship election is scheduled for August 15, 2026, across the state’s 30 local government areas.
The Force specifically listed Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations, the Civilian Joint Task Force, community-based security outfits and neighbourhood watch groups among those prohibited from escorting electoral materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints or carrying weapons during the election.
“The police will not permit unauthorised security outfits to participate in election security. Any member or sponsor of such groups deployed for electoral activities will be arrested and dealt with in accordance with the law,” the statement said.
The police also warned against ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying, thuggery, obstruction of electoral officials, hate speech and clashes between rival supporters.
It assured voters and other stakeholders that its personnel, alongside other statutory security agencies, would provide security at polling units, collation centres and other critical locations across the state.
The Force urged traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations and the media to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The Inspector-General directed officers deployed for the election to remain professional, impartial and respectful of human rights.
He also assured eligible voters that they would be allowed to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
The police directive comes ahead of the August 15 Osun governorship election, amid heightened political activity and security concerns surrounding the poll.
Election security in Nigeria is ordinarily coordinated by the police and other statutory security agencies, while various community and non-state security groups operate in different parts of the country.
The latest directive makes clear that such groups will not be permitted to assume election-security roles or undertake activities reserved for authorised security agencies during the Osun poll.
