Police Recover 34 Illegal Firearms in Osun, Assure Neutrality Ahead of Election

By Joseph Sunday

The Nigeria Police Force has recovered about 34 illegal firearms in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming election and has assured residents of adequate security and neutrality.

The Force Public Relations Officer gave the assurance at a Town Hall meeting in Osun State, where he said similar mop-up operations were ongoing across the country to recover illicit arms.

He said the Electoral Act is clear on the prohibition of arms at polling units, noting that no individual, including law enforcement agents, is permitted to bear arms within 300 metres of a polling unit.

According to him, the Police will deploy four unarmed officers to each polling unit, supported by undercover operatives from other agencies who will profile activities to detect illegal arms. He warned that any violation of the Electoral Act would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

On the role of the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, the Force PRO clarified that the Police has not banned the outfit.

“We are not banning them and we cannot ban them. Amotekun is one of our major collaborators in the South-West and we have been having a wonderful and excellent working relationship with them,” he said.

He however explained that only constitutionally recognised security agencies are permitted for election duty under the Electoral Act.

“Amotekun is not constitutionally recognised for election duty. We didn’t make the law, our job is to enforce it,” he added.

Responding to allegations of partisanship, the Force PRO cited Section 4 of the Nigeria Police Act which mandates the Force to protect lives and property, stressing that the Police remains professional, neutral and unbiased.

“The only candidate we support is peace. For the Nigeria Police Force, we have one candidate and that is peace,” he said.

On movement on election day, he said students and other residents who need to move must be duly accredited as election observers by the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, through the State Command.

He described voter intimidation as an electoral offence, noting that INEC, civil society organisations and the Police have embarked on voter education to sensitise first-time voters on their rights.

“No one has the right to intimidate voters, no one has the right to snatch ballot boxes. Anyone caught will be arrested and prosecuted,” he warned.

The Force PRO also announced complaint channels for reporting misconduct by security personnel during the election, including the Complaint Response Unit, CRU, which operates 24 hours. 

He urged members of the public to provide details, including video evidence, when filing reports. 

He further assured that special consideration will be given to persons with disabilities, the elderly, pregnant women, the sick and other vulnerable persons at polling units.

On post-election security, he said the Police has an election planning, monitoring and evaluation template that covers the periods before, during and after the polls. 

He added that no officer deployed for the election will be allowed to leave Osun State without clearance from the Inspector-General of Police, who is the overall Commander for the election, and the Deputy Inspector-General in charge of Elections, who is the Ground Commander, until peace is fully assured.

He warned against underage voting, stating that anyone found culpable will be arrested, and advised parents to keep underage children at home.

On restriction of movement, he advised long-distance voters to move out early and carry proper identification, especially their Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, noting that no officer will prevent a voter with a genuine reason and valid ID from accessing his polling unit.

He reiterated that vehicular movement without authorisation is prohibited, and that bearing firearms, including hunting rifles, or brandishing sticks in a manner that causes fear among voters or electoral officials, is a criminal offence punishable under the Electoral Act and the Criminal Code.