The Nigeria Police Force has retained more than 15,000 personnel deployed for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election and deployed anti-riot policemen and undercover operatives to strategic locations to prevent post-election violence.

The move followed concerns over possible unrest after at least 34 election-related violent incidents, resulting in 18 deaths, were recorded across the state since May 2026.

Although the election was largely peaceful, pockets of violence were reported in some areas on election day, prompting heightened security measures to forestall further incidents.

Speaking on the development, Force spokesman, Ani Iniedu, said the personnel deployed for the election remained on the ground, while anti-riot officers had been deployed to flashpoints and major junctions.

“The officers who came for the election are still on the ground. We have deployed anti-riot policemen to flashpoints and junctions across a few states,” Iniedu said.

He added that undercover operatives were moving across locations to gather intelligence and alert the police to potential threats.

According to him, senior police officers, including a Deputy Inspector-General of Police, an Assistant Inspector-General of Police and Commissioners of Police, were coordinating the post-election security arrangements.

“The DIG is coordinating the election on the ground. The AIG is on the ground. The CP is on the ground,” he said, adding that the force was on full alert to prevent any untoward incident.

Ahead of the election, the police deployed more than 15,000 personnel and at least 30 Commissioners of Police to Osun State, while a DIG was assigned to coordinate the security operations.

The deployment was part of measures to ensure a peaceful election and prevent electoral violence and other security breaches before, during and after the exercise.