Isiyaku Ahmed
The Nigeria Police Force has dismissed reports alleging that hundreds of police personnel deployed to Osun State for the 15 August 2026 governorship election have remained in the state for weeks without adequate food and basic welfare provisions.
The Force, in a statement issued on Friday by its spokesperson, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the continued presence of the personnel in the state was part of established post-election security arrangements.
According to the statement, the deployment is intended to sustain security, prevent post-election violence, respond to emerging threats and ensure a smooth transition to normal policing.
It explained that the deployment duration is determined by prevailing operational and security requirements.
The Force also rejected claims that the officers had been abandoned or subjected to poor welfare conditions, stressing that all personnel deployed for the election had received their approved entitlements.
It added that the relevant command structures remained responsible for officers’ welfare throughout their assignments.
“Portraying a planned post-election security deployment as institutional neglect is misleading,” the statement said, warning that such reports could negatively affect personnel morale and public confidence in the police.
The Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to the welfare of its personnel, saying officers would continue to be strategically deployed wherever necessary to protect lives and property and maintain public peace.
The Force further urged media organisations and other reporting platforms to verify information, particularly claims attributed to unnamed sources, before publication.
It said inaccurate reports could mislead the public and undermine ongoing security operations.
Force Headquarters, Abuja
September 4, 2026
