By Odita Sunday
The Police Service Commission (PSC) has commended the Nigeria Police Force for its professionalism, discipline and effective deployment during Saturday’s Osun State governorship election, saying officers conducted themselves in an orderly manner across the state while working seamlessly with other security agencies to ensure a peaceful electoral process.
The Commission’s assessment is contained in its harmonised interim monitoring report released on Sunday after observing police operations across polling units in Osun Central, Osun East and Osun West Senatorial Districts during the August 15 governorship poll.
According to the PSC, its monitoring teams covered polling units across the 30 Local Government Areas of the state, evaluating police deployment, compliance with election duty guidelines, professionalism, inter-agency collaboration and general conduct throughout the exercise.
The report noted that police deployment was both strategic and adequate, with an average of four officers assigned to each polling unit statewide. It stated that polling units in Osun Central had an average of three officers, while those in Osun East and Osun West recorded an average of five officers each.
The Commission also praised the synergy between the Police and other security and safety agencies deployed for the election. It said personnel of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Federal Fire Service, Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), Nigerian Army, Nigerian Air Force, Nigerian Navy and the Defence Intelligence Agency (DIA) effectively complemented police operations at polling units and the Election Joint Operations Control Room.
According to the report, the cordial working relationship among the agencies contributed significantly to the peaceful conduct of the election.
Leader of the PSC Monitoring Team, DIG (Dr) Taiwo Lakanu (rtd), expressed satisfaction with the conduct of police personnel and commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for what he described as an effective deployment strategy.
Lakanu specifically acknowledged the roles played by DIG Isyaku Mohammed, Ph.D, who served as the Election DIG, and CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, the Election Commissioner of Police, alongside other senior officers, noting that their leadership contributed to the successful policing of the election.
The Commission further observed that police officers across the three senatorial districts were generally courteous, approachable and professional, maintaining public order and responding appropriately to inquiries from election monitors.
It concluded that the Nigeria Police Force demonstrated a high level of professionalism, orderliness and cordiality throughout the exercise, adding that the Commission would continue to provide oversight to ensure police officers maintain established professional standards during election duties.
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