The Nigeria Police Force has prohibited the Western Nigeria Security Network, known as Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from taking part in security operations during Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State.
The police warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against recruiting, arming or deploying such groups for election-related activities, stressing that only constitutionally recognised security agencies were authorised to handle election security.
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 to take place across the state’s 30 local government areas on August 15, 2026.
The Force listed Amotekun, vigilante groups, hunters’ associations, the Civilian Joint Task Force, community-based security outfits and neighbourhood watch groups among those barred 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, while urging traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society groups and the media to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
The IGP directed officers deployed for the poll to remain professional, impartial and respectful of human rights, assuring eligible voters that they would be allowed to exercise their franchise without fear or intimidation.
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