Ahead of Saturday’s governorship election in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has announced a restriction on movement across the state from 12:00 midnight on Friday, August 14, 2026, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday.
The police urged residents and other members of the public to comply with the directive and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state during the election.
According to the statement, only individuals and categories of movement specifically exempted by the appropriate authorities would be allowed during the restriction period.
The police also reaffirmed its earlier directive prohibiting the participation of Amotekun and other non-state security groups in election-related security operations.
The Force PRO stressed that only security agencies established and recognised under the Constitution and laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria are authorised to carry out security and law-enforcement duties alongside the police during the election.
“No non-state security group, vigilante organisation or other unauthorised body is permitted to assume or exercise the functions of a recognised security agency,” the statement said.
The police consequently directed such groups to stay away from all election-related security operations and warned them against engaging in activities capable of intimidating voters, disrupting the electoral process or threatening public peace and security.
The Force urged all residents, political parties and other stakeholders to adhere to the directives to ensure a peaceful and orderly conduct of the Osun governorship election.
BACKSTORY:
The Nigeria Police Force has announced movement restrictions across Osun State ahead of the governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026.
The restriction will take effect from 12:00 midnight on Friday, August 14, until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday, August 15, as part of measures to maintain law and order during the election.
The police directed residents to comply with the restriction and cooperate with security personnel deployed across the state. Only individuals and categories of movement specifically exempted by the relevant authorities will be permitted during the period.
The announcement comes amid heightened security preparations ahead of the election, with security agencies expected to prevent violence, voter intimidation and other activities capable of disrupting the electoral process.
The police also reiterated that Amotekun and other non-state security groups are not permitted to participate in election-related security operations.
According to the Force, only security agencies recognised under Nigerian law are authorised to carry out security and law-enforcement duties alongside the police during the election.
The development is part of broader efforts by security authorities to ensure that voters can participate in the election without intimidation and that the electoral process is conducted peacefully.
B
