OSOGBO — Security has been heightened at the Osun State headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo, with armed military personnel taking over security duties ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The deployment, which took effect on Monday, is part of intensified security arrangements across the state as stakeholders prepare for the August 15 governorship poll.
Armed soldiers were stationed around the INEC headquarters, while about three Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) were deployed to strengthen security around the commission’s premises.
Before the military deployment, security at the INEC office had been handled by anti-riot mobile policemen and operatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
A security source close to the commission said the soldiers arrived on Sunday and assumed full responsibility for security at the premises on Monday morning.
According to the source, the presence of other security agencies would be maintained alongside the military as preparations for the election enter their final phase.
“They arrived yesterday (Sunday), but their numbers increased today (Monday).
“The soldiers are in charge now, but all other security personnel are at their duty posts too.
‘In the next few days, the police and Civil Defence personnel will join,” the source said.
The source further confirmed that three Armoured Personnel Carriers had been brought to the INEC headquarters as part of the security arrangements.
“There are three Armoured Personnel Carriers brought by the soldiers too,” the source added.
Meanwhile, INEC says it has substantially concluded preparations for the governorship election, with only the final stage of its electoral timetable remaining.
The Osun State INEC Public Relations Officer, Musa Olurode, said the commission was ready for Saturday’s exercise.
“We are fully ready for the election on Saturday.
“Out of the 13 activities on the timeline of activities for the election, we have exhausted 12 and the last one is the day of the election,” he said.
Olurode added that the distribution of sensitive electoral materials would commence ahead of the poll.
“sensitive electoral materials would be distributed to the various local government areas on Thursday ahead of Saturday’s poll.”
The increased military presence at the state INEC headquarters comes as security agencies intensify preparations to safeguard electoral materials, personnel and facilities ahead of the governorship election.
