The Nigeria Police Force has recovered 34 illegal firearms in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, as security agencies intensify preparations for a peaceful poll.
The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Aniete Iniedu, disclosed this on Thursday during a town hall meeting with stakeholders at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo.
Iniedu said investigations were ongoing to establish the sources of the weapons and identify those behind them, adding that suspects would be prosecuted in line with the directives of the Inspector-General of Police.
“With regards to illicit weapons, about 34 recovered arms in Osun State ahead of the election. Investigation is ongoing about it, after which there will be prosecution,” he said.
The police spokesperson also warned that firearms and other weapons would not be permitted at polling units on election day.
He explained that even the four policemen deployed to each polling unit would not carry firearms, in accordance with the Electoral Act.
“Even the four policemen that were deployed to each unit will not carry weapons. All kind of firearms or any weapon is prohibited at the polling units in line with the Electoral Acts.”
According to him, plain-clothes police officers and other security personnel will also be deployed to polling units to profile voters and monitor activities.
The police had earlier announced the deployment of 15,000 officers across Osun State for the election.
Iniedu added that police helicopter and drone units had arrived in the state to carry out aerial surveillance before, during and immediately after the election.
The measures are part of efforts by the security agencies to prevent violence, illegal possession of firearms and other electoral offences during the poll.
