OUTCOME DOCUMENT
Civil Society Meeting with the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc
Election Security for the Osun State Governorship Election Force Headquarters, Abuja | 7 August 2026
Introduction Civil society organizations working on elections met with the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc, at the Force Headquarters on 7 August 2026. Convened at the request of civil society, the meeting provided an opportunity to present findings from preelection assessments and security threat analyses, and to raise concerns about escalating violence and public perceptions of the neutrality of security agencies ahead of the Osun governorship election.
Issues Raised by Civil Society.
1. Osun as a test of election security and public confidence: The Osun governorship election is the last major election before the 2027 general election and therefore carries significance beyond the state. Civil society stressed that the election presents an opportunity to strengthen public confidence in election security, demonstrate institutional neutrality and show that security agencies can manage a highly competitive electoral environment professionally. A peaceful and credibly secured election would strengthen confidence ahead of 2027; insecurity or perceived security bias could deepen public distrust.
2. Escalating pre-election violence: Civil society highlighted a marked escalation in electoral violence and political tension. Thirteen of 30 Local Government Areas in the state are classified as high-risk, with reported killings, violent attacks and heightened political tensions. The pattern has extended beyond isolated criminal incidents to the targeting of party leaders and offices, coordinated shootings, political abductions and violence around local government secretariats. Pre-election monitoring recorded 34 known fatalities across 44 incidents between June 2025 and June 2026.
3. Neutrality and professional conduct of security agencies: Civil society drew attention to concerns about aggressive use of force and perceived partiality by security personnel. Public calls for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police were cited as evidence of declining trust. Civil society therefore urged the NPF and other security agencies to ensure that neutrality is not only maintained in practice but is visible and verifiable. The credibility of the Osun election will depend both on the prevention of violence and on public confidence that laws are enforced impartially, political actors and citizens are protected equitably, and threats are addressed without fear, favor or political interference.
IGP Response and Operational Commitments Command and control.
1. The Nigeria Police Force is the lead agency for election security. The IGP reaffirmed that the NPF is the lead agency for election security and will exercise operational leadership over deployments in coordination with other security agencies. The Police will constitute the principal security presence across most locations.
2. In response to concerns about police neutrality, the IGP stated that CP Samuel Erale Etaifo has been deployed to take charge of election operations in Osun and that an Assistant Inspector-General of Police will provide senior operational oversight. CP Abayomi Shogunle, PhD, will coordinate operations from the central monitoring centre in Abuja rather than deploy to the field.
Force disposition and deployment posture
3. The IGP stated that early deployment has commenced and that personnel have already been positioned in Osun. The Force will undertake a visible deterrence operation, including a show of force, to signal readiness and discourage violence or other disruptive activity. This posture will be balanced with public engagement to avoid unnecessary intimidation and sustain community confidence.
4. Movement control and access restrictions: As part of the election security plan, the Police will establish roadblocks and other movement-control measures to restrict unauthorized movement. Political actors will not be permitted to move with security aides or armed escorts in contravention of election-day restrictions.
5. The IGP assured the meeting that the Police would adopt a firm and impartial enforcement posture against electoral offences, including vote buying, voter intimidation, ballot-box snatching and thuggery, regardless of the political affiliation or status of those involved.
6. He further stated that a minimum of four police officers would be deployed to each of the 3,673 polling units, supported by personnel from other participating security agencies as part of the broader election security deployment. Threat mitigation
7. Disruption of cult and politically linked threat networks. The IGP acknowledged the proliferation of cult groups and stated that investigations indicate that some have been recruited by political actors. He noted that arrests have been made and that enforcement action against such networks will continue.
8. Response to thuggery and sponsors of violence. The IGP cautioned political actors against recruiting or deploying thugs, stating that the Force is prepared to respond to organized violence and pursue both perpetrators and sponsors in accordance with the law. Inclusive and disability-responsive policing.
The information environment
9. The IGP acknowledged the risks posed by disinformation and synthetic media. He stated that the Force’s national coordination structures have been trained and prepared to identify and counter harmful information operations and take appropriate enforcement action where conduct violates the law. We welcome support and partnership from civil society organizations to strengthen information-sharing, early warning and coordinated responses to election-related disinformation. Force composition and inclusive policing
10. Inclusive and disability-responsive policing: The IGP stated that the Force management team will pay particular attention to the security and access needs of persons with disabilities (PWDs). He also expressed willingness to engage disability organizations on practical measures for more inclusive policing.
11. Gender-responsive deployment: The IGP stated that more female police officers will be deployed, noting the Force’s positive assessment of the performance of female personnel in previous operations.
Police Welfare
12. Personnel welfare and deployment readiness. The IGP informed the meeting that election-duty allowances have been paid to deployed officers as part of measures to support operational readiness and personnel welfare.
Liaison and strategic communication
13: The IGP committed the NPF to maintaining direct communication with accredited election observers and journalists. A designated liaison mechanism will facilitate structured briefings and information exchange before, during and after the election, including timely escalation of verified security incidents and clarification of operational issues.
In attendance :
1. Civil Society Legislative Advocacy Center (CISLAC)
2. Center for Journalism, Innovation and Development (CJID)
3. CLEEN Foundation
4. The Kukah Center
5. Kimpact Development Initiative
6. Nigerian Women Trust Fund
7. Partners West Africa
8. TAF Africa
9. Yiaga Africa
The Centre for Media and Society is a foremost media development organization based in Nigeria
