The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has dismissed reports alleging that hundreds of police personnel deployed to Osun State for the August 15, 2026 governorship election have been stranded for weeks without adequate food and basic welfare provisions.
The Force described the continued deployment of personnel in the state as a standard post-election security procedure, insisting that it should not be misconstrued as neglect of officers’ welfare.
In a statement issued by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu said post-election deployments are routinely maintained to prevent possible violence, respond to emerging security threats and ensure a smooth transition back to normal policing operations.
According to the Force, the duration of such deployments is determined by prevailing operational and security considerations rather than arbitrary timelines.
The NPF also rejected claims that officers deployed for the Osun election had been abandoned or denied adequate welfare, stating that all personnel received their approved entitlements and that command structures remained responsible for their wellbeing throughout the assignment.
The Force warned that portraying a planned security deployment as institutional neglect could misrepresent operational realities, undermine police morale and erode public confidence in the institution.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to personnel welfare and will continue to deploy officers strategically wherever needed to protect lives, property and public peace,” the statement said.
The police further urged media organisations and reporting platforms to verify allegations, particularly those attributed to unnamed sources, before publication, warning that unverified reports could mislead the public and potentially undermine ongoing security operations.
CSP Iniedu said the Force would continue to balance personnel welfare with its constitutional responsibility to maintain law and order before, during and after elections.
