Security agencies in Osun State have been directed to crack down on political thuggery, cultism, and attempts to disrupt the upcoming 15 August governorship election.
Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo on Wednesday, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Professor Joash Amupitan, confirmed that security forces have received clear operational orders while remaining strictly neutral.
“Security forces have been issued strict operational directives to neutralize thuggery, cult movements, and any attempt at ballot disruption,” Amupitan stated.
Flashpoints identified for specialized deployment
INEC has mapped out specific risk corridors using its Electoral Risk Management framework in collaboration with the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) and the Kukah Centre.
Vulnerable areas slated for heavy, high-visibility security deployments include parts of Ede North and South, Osogbo, Ife Central, Boripe, Ila, and Atakumosa East and West.
Technical readiness and strict accreditation
To prevent technical glitches from delaying voting, INEC has deployed 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) machines across the state, with 664 reserve units on standby. A mock accreditation exercise is scheduled for 1 August across 12 local government areas.
Professor Amupitan reiterated that manual accreditation remains completely banned under the law.
“Biometric verification—fingerprint or facial match through BVAS—remains the sole statutory mechanism for accreditation,” he stressed. “No more manual accreditation.”
Assuring the public of election integrity, Osun Resident Electoral Commissioner Barrister Oluwatoyin Babalola added that an oath of loyalty and neutrality would be administered to all deployed security personnel, as mandated by the Electoral Act.
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