The Inspector-General of Police (IG), Usman Alkali Baba, has deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police(DIG) in charge of the Force Criminal Investigation Department and the supervisory DIG for the South-west Geo-Political Zone, DIG Johnson Kokumo, for the Osun State governorship election.
Also deployed to the state are four Assistant Inspectors-General (AIGs)of Police, four Commissioners of Police, 15 Deputy Commissioners of Police(DIGs), and 30 Assistant Commissioners of Police.
The Force spokesperson, Muyiwa Adejobi, in a statement yesterday , said adequate police personnel of the rank of Chief Superintendents of Police and below have equally been deployed for the election.
He also announced that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, who had been enmeshed in controversies has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election.
“DIG Kokumo is responsible for overseeing the implementation of the Operation Order evolved from the Election Security Threat Assessment, to ensure a peaceful and conducive environment devoid of violence and to guarantee law-abiding citizens in the state of a secured space to freely perform their civic responsibilities without molestation or intimidation.”
“Other Senior Officers deployed are tasked with coordinating human and other operational deployments in the three Senatorial Districts; 30 Local Government Areas and the 3,753 polling units in Osun State.
“The IG ordered the deployment of the Commissioner of Police and Provost Marshall at the Force Headquarters, CP Julius Alawari to Osun State for the election, while CP Olokode Olawale, the Osun State Commissioner of Police has been temporarily moved to the Force Headquarters until the conclusion of the election,” the statement added.
The PPRO also said five Armored Personnel Carriers for patrol as well as three helicopters and six Unmanned Aerial Vehicles for aerial surveillance among other operational assets had been deployed.
He stated that deployments are part of actions aimed at creating an enabling environment that would guarantee peaceful election in Osun.
“The IGP further noted that the personnel, comprising conventional police officers, Police Mobile Force, Counter Terrorism Unit, Special Forces personnel, Explosives Ordinance Disposal Unit, Force Intelligence Bureau, INTERPOL, Special Protection Unit, Police Airwing, Public Relations Department, as well as Police Medical Teams, will be on ground to guarantee free, fair, credible and acceptable election,” he said.
He said the IG is scheduled to meet with stakeholders in Osogbo on Tuesday, July 12, 2022.
