Police bar Amotekun, vigilantes from Osun gov poll

The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The police said the groups had no role in securing the election and warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against engaging, arming or deploying them for election-related purposes.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The election is scheduled to hold across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Force said Amotekun, vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch outfits and other non-state or quasi-security formations were not authorised to escort electoral materials, guard polling units, mount checkpoints or bear arms during the election.

“The Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch outfits, and all other non-state or quasi-security formations have no role in election security,” the statement readd.

The police urged all stakeholders to comply with the directive in the interest of peace and warned that members or sponsors of unauthorised security outfits deployed for election-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted.

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, warns political parties, candidates, supporters, and the public that the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August, 2026, must be peaceful,” the statement said.

It warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the process through violence, intimidation or thuggery would face the full weight of the law.

The Force specifically cited ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes between rival supporters as recurring electoral offences that would not be tolerated.

“Any person involved in such offences, whether as a direct perpetrator or sponsor, will be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of political affiliation or status,” it said.