The Nigeria Police Force has deployed more than 15,000 personnel, 30 Commissioners of Police, a helicopter and drone units for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this while briefing journalists in Osogbo, saying a Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) would coordinate the security operation.

According to him, each of the state’s 30 Local Government Areas would have a Commissioner of Police, Deputy Commissioner of Police and armed Mobile Police Force personnel.

Iniedu said the police helicopter and drones would conduct aerial surveillance before, during and after the election, while two additional Mobile Police Force units had been deployed to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) headquarters in Osogbo.

He also announced that movement into and within Osun State would be restricted from midnight on Saturday, with only essential-duty personnel, security operatives and voters allowed to move.

“We will be locking down the state. We will not be allowing any vehicular movement apart from those on essential duty, security duties and those going to cast their franchise,” he said.

The police spokesman warned against electoral offences including intimidation, vote-buying and ballot-box snatching, adding that a mobile court would prosecute offenders.

He further disclosed that security agencies had recovered about 34 illegal firearms in the state, with investigations ongoing.

Several police personnel were seen at the Osun State Police Headquarters in Osogbo as they moved to their various areas of deployment ahead of Saturday’s poll.