Police To Deploy 10,000 Officers For Osun Governorship Election

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, has revealed that to ensure that the Sept. 22 governorship election in the state go on smoothly, no fewer than 10, 000 police officers will be deployed for the exercise.

The Police boss made this known in Osogbo on Monday at a stakeholders retreat tagged ‘‘Vote Not Fight.’’

Mr Mufutau Ayinde, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in Charge of Operations in the state who represented the commissioner of Police said the officers would be drawn from the Police Mobile Force, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Explosives Ordnance Detection Unit.

He noted that adequate strategy have been employed by the police command to ensure that the election goes on smoothly, adding that some areas in the state that is prone to violence are been taken note of.

“There is no cause for alarm for the election. We are going to ensure zero tolerance for violence before, during and after the election.

‘‘Politics is not warfare but rather it is a service to humanity and that is why everyone must abide by the rules,’’ Adeoye said.

The Resident Electoral Commissioner in Osun State, while speaking disclosed that INEC was adequately prepared for the upcoming election.

The INEC’s Head of Department of Voters Education and Publicity, Mr Stephen Akinojewande, who represented Agbaje admonished voters to get their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs).

He disclosed that about about 641,592 PVCs were yet to be collected. He also admonished Politicians to abide by the rule of the game.

In his remarks, Mr Ben Aga, the National Democratic Institute Project Manager, said the retreat was organised to sensitise political stakeholders on the need for free and fair election.

Aga also urged youths to shun thuggery before, during and after the election.

NAN reports that the retreat was organised by two non-governmental organisations, Young Stars Development Initiative and Kimpact Development Initiative.