₦airaland Forum

BREAKING NEWS

IGP, Tunji Disu, banned Amotekun from participating in the Election slated for Saturday

Amotekun and others should take note oooo..

The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, popularly known as Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations for Saturday’s Osun State governorship election.

The police said the groups had no role in securing the election and warned political parties, candidates and their supporters against engaging, arming or deploying them for election-related purposes.

The warning was contained in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The election is scheduled to hold across the 30 Local Government Areas of Osun State on Saturday, August 15, 2026.

The Force said Amotekun, vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force, hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch outfits and other non-state or quasi-security formations were not authorised to escort electoral materials, guard polling units, mount checkpoints or bear arms during the election.

“The Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), vigilante groups, the Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, neighbourhood watch outfits, and all other non-state or quasi-security formations have no role in election security,” the statement readd.

The police urged all stakeholders to comply with the directive in the interest of peace and warned that members or sponsors of unauthorised security outfits deployed for election-related activities would be arrested and prosecuted.

“Any member or sponsor of such unauthorised outfits will be arrested and dealt with according to the law,” the Force warned.

The police also issued a broader warning to political parties, candidates, supporters and the public, saying the election must be conducted peacefully.

“The Nigeria Police Force (NPF), under the leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, warns political parties, candidates, supporters, and the public that the Osun State Governorship Election scheduled for Saturday, 15th August, 2026, must be peaceful,” the statement said.

It warned that anyone attempting to disrupt the process through violence, intimidation or thuggery would face the full weight of the law.

The Force specifically cited ballot snatching, voter intimidation, vote buying and clashes between rival supporters as recurring electoral offences that would not be tolerated.

“Any person involved in such offences, whether as a direct perpetrator or sponsor, will be arrested and prosecuted, regardless of political affiliation or status,” it said.

The police said election security was the responsibility of constitutionally recognised security agencies, listing the Nigeria Police Force, Department of State Services, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Nigeria Immigration Service, Nigeria Correctional Service, Federal Road Safety Corps and other statutory bodies.

The joint security deployment, according to the Force, would cover all 30 LGAs of the state and secure polling units, collation centres, electoral materials, officials, observers, journalists and voters.

The Force further warned political parties, candidates and members of the public against engaging, arming or deploying non-state security outfits for election-related purposes.

It also reiterated that firearms, dangerous weapons and offensive materials were prohibited around polling units and collation centres, except those lawfully carried by accredited security personnel on election duty.

“All firearms, dangerous weapons, and offensive materials are strictly prohibited around polling units and collation centres, except those lawfully carried by accredited security personnel on election duty,” the statement said.

The police said anyone found culpable of electoral offences, including thuggery, obstruction of electoral officials, unlawful possession of election materials, hate speech or incitement to violence, would be arrested and charged to court.

“Anyone found culpable of electoral offences, including thuggery, obstruction of electoral officials, unlawful possession of election materials, hate speech, or incitement to violence, will be arrested and charged to court,” it warned.

The IGP directed commanders and personnel deployed for the election to act professionally, impartially and firmly while adhering to the rule of law and respecting human rights.

The Force also called on traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media and accredited observers to report suspicious persons, movements or activities to the nearest security agency or established emergency channels.

“The public, traditional rulers, religious leaders, civil society organisations, the media, and accredited observers are urged to report suspicious persons, movements, or activities to the nearest security agency or established emergency channels—if you see something, say something,” the statement read.

The police assured the people of Osun State, the Independent National Electoral Commission, political parties, candidates and other stakeholders of its commitment to providing a secure environment for the election.

It said eligible voters must be able to exercise their franchise freely and without fear or intimidation.

“The Police remain neutral, professional, and resolute, and will not allow any actor to undermine the peaceful conduct of the Osun State Governorship Election,” the Force said.

https://www.google.com/amp/s/punchng.com/police-bar-amotekun-vigilantes-from-osun-gov-poll/%3famp

Let's see how it goes
Perhaps this is the final crumble of APC. Because I don't understand why this election is causing so much headache to APC and BAT.

They've seen the writing on the wall concerning 2027.

He has no such rights.
Amotokuns legality is a substance of the law. The IGP only executes the law. The legislatures make the law and the executive implements the law. The courts interpretes the law.
The IGP warts and all is just an appendage to the executive branch.
That's the position of the law!

Amotokun was formed after the Bill went through the legally appropriate channels. The governor obviously signed that bill into law. Untill a repeal happens, the law must take its cause and this inebriated IGP must respect this! You can't rule by dictats in a democracy. The IGP has no such powers as to arrogantly override the powers of the legislative/executive arms of the state.
Dude should pipe down.

Enough Already..

Yet he wants the Court proscribed Oluomo and his thugs to actively participate.
Adeleke should have seen this coming the moment he banned NURTW from the state.

Apc using all the institutions against Adeleke...Goodluck handed over power to the worst of us

owobokiri:
He has no such rights.
Amotokuns legality is a substance of the law. The IGP only executes the law. The legislatures make the law and the executive implements the law. The courts interpretes the law.
The IGP warts and all is just an appendage to the executive branch.
That's the position of the law!

Amotokun was formed after the Bill went through the legally appropriate channels. The governor obviously signed that bill into law. Untill a repeal happens, the law must take its cause and this inebriated IGP must respect this! You can't rule by dictats in a democracy. The IGP has no such powers as to arrogantly override the powers of the legislative/executive arms of the state.
Dude should pipe down.

Enough Already..

you carry amotekun go there,no be to come here and be typing jargons..."he has no such right",you are not police,you are not amotekun,you are not government,you are not a contestant,you are not even a voter in osun state,na only right you know

I don't think it's within his powers to ban(without due process) an outfit established by law.

Hmmmmm.... That means IGP will also have power over state police if they are created. This country deep o

Governor Adeleke won't stand down, APC will fail.

They just dont want anything that will oppose them. Tinubu a democrat that does not want opposition. What do you call that? With Amotwkun in place, it might be very difficult for them to do their hatchet job. God will surely do the needful on all enemies of this country.

The so called MASTER lost Lagos where he built

Also lost Osun his state of origin

Una come think say e go easy for those places?

Its shameful na, hence this mad pressure to reclaim

So much security rumpus around our elections like it is some terror target or something.

You go to other places and see people voting, you'd think they were queuing at a diner or to enter into a concert hall. And some of these countries got their independence just 35, 40 years ago, long after ours.

Half of Europe, the Eastern half did not know any form of democracy in all of their history till 1991, 92 to 1995, long after our previous democratic experiments in the 60's and 80's failed. Yet they tried and got it right first time and very quickly and today are civilized, multiparty democracies.

When are we going to grow as a nation....27 years of these absurdities and getting worse by the polls.

Lanretoye:
you carry amotekun go there,no be to come here and be typing jargons

OUR Amotokun is a constitutionally accepted coercive instrument of the state. The law recognised her existence. The Police and Amotokun derive their powers from the SAMR SOURCE; The Constitution! The IGP or The Police in general, do not have the powers to outlaw Amotokun.

Essentially, the APCs coven of political witches and wizards should stop trying to defang Mr Adeleke with their sole aim of using the Nigerian police to achieve their heinous political gambit in Osun.
APC cla8ms to be popular, let them allow the voters to telly decide!

Una too like corrupt elections..
This is one push too many.

He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

owobokiri:
He has no such rights.
Amotokuns legality is a substance of the law. The IGP only executes the law. The legislatures make the law and the executive implements the law. The courts interpretes the law.
The IGP warts and all is just an appendage to the executive branch.
That's the position of the law!

Amotokun was formed after the Bill went through the legally appropriate channels. The governor obviously signed that bill into law. Untill a repeal happens, the law must take its cause and this inebriated IGP must respect this! You can't rule by dictats in a democracy. The IGP has no such powers as to arrogantly override the powers of the legislative/executive arms of the state.
Dude should pipe down.

Enough Already..

tiswell:
I don't think it's within his powers to ban(without due process) an outfit established by law.

Period!
They want to strangle the incumbent governor by removing all his access to any uniformed arm of government. That way, they can rig unhindered on election day. They do all these while pretending like they are fighting for a.free anf fair election, when they are the actual threat to a peaceful election.
Why is Tinubu desperate to control all the states?

AbbeyK83:
He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

Valid points..
But I can't trust these people from Abuja.
These ones that manufactured their own Bishops in broad day light?
I don't trust their intentions

This is what is called "FEDERAL MIGHT".

We are waiting for when the IGP will prosecute Senator Francis Fadahunsi that said "keeeeel Accord Party members"

owobokiri:
OUR Amotokun is a constitutionally accepted coercive instrument of the state. The law recognised her existence. The Police and Amotokun derive their powers from the SAMR SOURCE; The Constitution! The IGP or The Police in general, do not have the powers to outlaw Amotokun.

Essentially, the APCs coven of political witches and wizards should stop trying to defang Mr Adeleke with their sole aim of using the Nigerian police to achieve their heinous political gambit in Osun.
APC cla8ms to be popular, let them allow the voters to telly decide!

Una too like corrupt elections..
This is one push too many.

He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

press9jatv:
He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

But they must be allowed to provide peace and tranquility across the state based on their constitutional mandate.

Whether they can do this or that is not for one Disu to say.
It is the job of an Osun High Court to declare so so and so.

The IGP should allow the judiciary to make a pronouncement. I mean the Osun judiciary and not Nyeson Wikes judiciary..

This guy,stomach infrastructure politics no dey taya you. All these energy for a few crumbs at the end of the day? Guy you can still make something tangible out of this life without having to lick any politician's 'behind'. Okay tell me where was the IGP during Ekiti state election,why didn't he stop the amotekun from participating,why Osun election with all the security issues that is on ground in the state.

press9jatv:
He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

PlasmaTV:
Let's see how it goes
Perhaps this is the final crumble of APC. Because I don't understand why this election is causing so much headache to APC and BAT.

They've seen the writing on the wall concerning 2027.

Always wailing as usual

Is like saying ishbab in Kano or agunechemba should monitor election....
As how now.......?
Is that why they were created.. ??
Somethings should not even come up for discussion at all at all not to talk of debating on it

tiswell:
I don't think it's within his powers to ban(without due process) an outfit established by law.

Without any bias, does the law establishing Amotekun empower it to participate in federal elections? That's where you should begin your argument. Both INEC and NPF are both federal institutions.

This is exactly how state police will be repeatedly humiliated if the laws enacting it leaves out critical areas like this one.

An agency needs to checkmate what police and army are doing during election. Because I have witnessed ugly incidents that were done under the protection of the security agents.

Sincerely, this is giving a hint that operatives are used to influence outcomes at polls. How that's done is what we don't know.

Let us think before we write anything here. Does the constitution or electoral laws permit these appendages to oversee electoral processes?

owobokiri:
He has no such rights.
Amotokuns legality is a substance of the law. The IGP only executes the law. The legislatures make the law and the executive implements the law. The courts interpretes the law.
The IGP warts and all is just an appendage to the executive branch.
That's the position of the law!

Amotokun was formed after the Bill went through the legally appropriate channels. The governor obviously signed that bill into law. Untill a repeal happens, the law must take its cause and this inebriated IGP must respect this! You can't rule by dictats in a democracy. The IGP has no such powers as to arrogantly override the powers of the legislative/executive arms of the state.
Dude should pipe down.

Enough Already..

This nairaland though..
Why are they posting old news?

owobokiri:
But they must be allowed to provide peace and tranquility across the state based on their constitutional mandate.

Whether they can do this or that is not for one Disu to say.
It is the job of an Osun High Court to declare so so and so.

The IGP should allow the judiciary to make a pronouncement. I mean the Osun judiciary and not Nyeson Wikes judiciary..

Nice one.You would have asked him ;Is the election not taking place in the same environment /state Amotekun suppose to protect?

AbbeyK83:
He didn't ban AMOTEKUN from operating as a security outfit but it was banned from participating in election matters which is still within the purview of Disu to do. The law that establish AMOTEKUN does not include participating in election matters. Try and get a copy of the law for the establishment of amotekun and you will see clearly that they cannot be used in this case as they are employees of state government same way Hisbah police cannot handle election matters.

AMOTEKUN as citizen of the states would protect their votes and ensure everything counts, there is nothing APC can do they have lost the elections, they know the people are not with them, Adeleke match dem very well. Tinubu can just resign now because his defeat next year would be so loud.

owobokiri:
Period!
They want to strangle the incumbent governor by removing all his access to any uniformed arm of government. That way, they can rig unhindered on election day. They do all these while pretending like they are fighting for a.free anf fair election, when they are the actual threat to a peaceful election.
Why is Tinubu desperate to control all the states?

It's really a disturbing scenario.
Democracy under siege!!!

Lets follow the law here
The chief security officer of the state is the governor.
Lets not set a bad precedence here. If the governor needs them they should be allowed to work with the police .

I hope amotekun members have PVC's. At least they can go and vote, since they've been banned from security operations on election day.