The Nigeria Police Force has clarified why special police forces deployed to Osun State for the August 15, 2026 governorship election have remained in the state weeks after the conclusion of the poll.
The clarification followed reports suggesting that hundreds of police personnel deployed from different Police Mobile Force formations were still stationed in Osun after completing their election duties, with concerns also raised about their welfare and living conditions.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the continued presence of the officers was part of an established post-election security arrangement.
According to the police, the deployment is intended to maintain security, prevent possible post-election violence, respond to emerging threats and ensure a smooth transition back to normal policing. The Force added that the length of the deployment would be determined by operational and security requirements.
The police also rejected claims that the officers had been abandoned or left without adequate welfare provisions. The Force said all personnel deployed for the election had received their approved entitlements, while their respective command structures remained responsible for their welfare throughout the assignment.
The development comes after the Nigeria Police Force mounted a major security operation for the Osun governorship election. Ahead of the poll, the Force announced the deployment of senior officers and security personnel across the state, with operations covering all 30 local government areas.
The police had said the security arrangement was designed to protect voters, electoral officials, election materials, observers and journalists while preventing electoral violence and other criminal activities. Following the election, however, reports emerged questioning why some of the special forces had not yet returned to their normal locations.
Responding to the concerns, the Force said maintaining the personnel in Osun should not be interpreted as a sign of administrative neglect. Instead, it described the continued deployment as a proactive security measure based on prevailing operational needs.
The police further warned media organisations and members of the public against relying on unverified information, particularly reports based on unnamed sources. The Force said inaccurate reports could undermine the morale of its personnel and affect public confidence in security operations.
The clarification also comes at a time when security remains a major concern in Nigeria, with law enforcement agencies under pressure to respond quickly to emerging threats while maintaining adequate personnel across different locations. The Nigeria Police Force said it would continue to deploy its personnel strategically wherever necessary to protect lives and property and maintain public peace.
The August 15 Osun governorship election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party, who secured 511,067 votes against 444,815 votes recorded by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Adeleke won 19 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.
With the election now concluded, the police have maintained that the remaining special forces are staying in Osun because of security and operational considerations, rather than because they have been forgotten or abandoned.