-
Nigeria Police Force appoints Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale Etaifo as CP Elections to coordinate security for the August 15 Osun governorship election.
-
Etaifo will lead election security operations across Osun, working with sister security agencies to safeguard voters, election officials, polling units, and sensitive electoral materials.
-
Force Headquarters clarifies that Osun Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, remains the substantive Commissioner of Police and will continue supervising routine policing while supporting election operations.
-
Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Rilwan Disu directs all security personnel deployed for the election to remain professional, politically neutral.
July 31, (THEWILL) — The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has deployed Commissioner of Police (CP) Samuel Erale Etaifo to Osun State as the Commissioner of Police in charge of election security, ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The deployment, announced on Friday by the Force Headquarters in Abuja, forms part of the police’s comprehensive election security strategy designed to guarantee a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process across the state.
According to a statement signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, Etaifo will coordinate all election-related security operations in Osun State and work closely with other security agencies and key stakeholders to ensure the safety of voters, election officials, and electoral materials before, during, and after the election.
“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform the general public of the deployment of Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, to Osun State as CP Elections, in preparation for the forthcoming governorship election.
“The deployment is part of the Force’s comprehensive election security strategy aimed at ensuring a peaceful, secure, and credible electoral process. CP Samuel Erale Etaifo will oversee and coordinate election security operations across the state, working in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders to safeguard voters, election officials, and electoral materials,” the statement read.
Gotan Retains Command of Osun Police
The Force Headquarters clarified that the deployment of CP Etaifo does not amount to a change in the leadership of the Osun State Police Command.
It explained that the substantive Commissioner of Police in the state, CP Ibrahim Gotan, remains in charge of the command and will continue to oversee routine policing, crime prevention, law enforcement, and administrative responsibilities across Osun State.
According to the police, Gotan will also provide the necessary operational and administrative support to the CP Elections to ensure seamless coordination of security operations during the governorship poll.
“The Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, remains in charge of the State Command and will continue to supervise routine policing activities, while providing necessary administrative and operational support for the CP Elections,” the statement added.
The clarification followed heightened public attention over security operations in Osun in recent days following the controversial arrest and subsequent release of the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, which generated sharp exchanges between the Osun State Government and the police.
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, directed all police officers and other security personnel deployed for election duties to maintain the highest standards of professionalism and impartiality throughout the electoral process.
He reminded officers that their actions before, during, and after the election must strictly conform to the Constitution, the Electoral Act, and the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty.
The IGP stressed that security personnel must remain neutral and avoid any conduct capable of undermining public confidence in the electoral process.
He also appealed to political parties, candidates, their supporters, and members of the public to conduct themselves peacefully and cooperate with security agencies to guarantee a violence-free election.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, urges members of the public, political actors, and all stakeholders to remain peaceful, law-abiding, and to cooperate fully with security agencies in ensuring a safe, credible, and successful electoral process,” the statement said.
Felix Ifijeh is a journalist with years of professional reporting experience. Known for his keen news sense, compelling storytelling and commitment to accurate, impactful reporting, he has built a reputation for turning leads into clear, engaging, and well-structured reports that resonate with readers. His work reflects deep newsroom experience and a commitment to accurate, impactful journalism.
