The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has formally excluded a range of non-state security agencies, including the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), local vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters’ associations, community-based security groups and neighbourhood watch organisations from taking part in security arrangements for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The directive was communicated through a statement from the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, speaking on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

According to the police, these community and quasi-security formations will have no involvement whatsoever in election-related security functions. This includes activities such as escorting electoral materials to polling locations, providing security at polling units, setting up checkpoints, or carrying weapons in connection with the election.

The police also issued a broader warning to political parties, their candidates, supporters and the general public, cautioning against violence, intimidation tactics and thuggery in the lead-up to and during voting. The Force stated plainly that persistent election-related crimes, among them snatching ballot boxes, intimidating voters, buying votes and confrontations between opposing camps of supporters would not be permitted to occur unchecked, as individuals implicated in these offences, whether as the ones physically committing the acts or as those funding and organising them, will face arrest and prosecution regardless of their political connections or standing in society.

The Force named the agencies authorised to handle election security: the police itself, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service, the Nigeria Correctional Service, and the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC). They are expected to cover all polling units, collation centres, election materials, officials, observers, journalists and voters alike in the 30 Local Government Areas in Osun State.

Additionally, the police cautioned parties, candidates and members of the public against recruiting, arming or otherwise engaging any security group not officially sanctioned for election duties, stating that “any member or sponsor of such unauthorised outfits will be arrested and dealt with according to the law.”

The statement reaffirmed that weapons, dangerous items and other offensive materials remain banned near polling units and collation centres, with exceptions only for those legally carried by accredited security officers on duty. Anyone caught engaging in thuggery, disrupting electoral officials, illegally possessing election materials, or spreading hate speech or incitement to violence would face arrest and formal charges.

The IGP instructed all police commanders and officers assigned to the election to conduct themselves professionally, impartially and firmly, while upholding the rule of law and human rights. The Force additionally appealed to traditional and religious leaders, civil society groups, media practitioners and accredited observers to alert the nearest security agency or emergency channel about any suspicious individuals or activities they notice. The police reiterated their pledge to maintain neutrality and professionalism, and to ensure a secure atmosphere throughout the governorship poll.