#OsunDecides2026: 176 arrests made — Police

A total of 176 arrests were made by the police, while one person was apprehended by the Department of State Services (DSS).

The arrests consist of 33 persons arrested in Ede on Friday and 143 others nabbed in the early hours of Saturday opposite Irewole Local Government Area over an allegation that they were mercenaries brought in to vote in a state they don’t belong to.

One of them was also said to have been arrested by the DSS for allegedly leading thugs to Ward 4, Unit 13, Iroyin Ayo polling unit in Ejigbo to disrupt the election process.

This was just as the Deputy Inspector General in charge of training, who was deployed to be in charge of security in the Osun State election, Mohammed Ishaq, disclosed that the arrests were a follow-up on an intelligence report that some people were brought into Osun State to cast votes.

Speaking with journalists at the command headquarters at Ring Road, Osogbo, the DIG admitted that there were pockets of issues, but that they were all treated as they came up, with the determination of the police to manage situations rather than escalate them.

The DIG told journalists that he was at polling units where he met people casting their votes peacefully, adding that his management team also went out to interact with voters.

The DIG also went on aerial patrol round Osogbo and noticed no threat or intimidation.

He admitted that there were pockets of complaints in one place or the other which were followed up, with some true and some untrue.

He, however, observed over 90 per cent success in the election in terms of security management.

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He commended the people of the state for the cooperation received from them by the security agencies, and also thanked them for their conduct, saying that they should not hesitate to speak out if anything untoward is observed, as the Nigeria Police Force has enough men on standby to follow up on such matters and ensure that they are resolved.

DIG Ishaq spoke on the functional numbers released to citizens, observing that there had been no major issues.

He assured the safety of ad-hoc staff, the majority of whom he said are NYSC members, disclosing that they and the election materials would be escorted to the collation centre.

Also, the Commissioner of Police in charge of election, Samuel Etaifo Erale, moved round polling units in wards at Owode, Obate, Alekuwodo, Olorunda and Fagbewesa, among others, ensuring the peaceful conduct of the election.