The Osun State Police Command declared on Tuesday that adequate security measures had been put in place to ensure a hitch-free bye-election in Osun West Senatorial District on Saturday.
Commissioner of Police, Mr Fimihan Adeoye, told newsmen in Osogbo that policemen had been deployed to every nook and cranny of the state to ensure there was no breakdown of law and order.
According to Adeoye, anybody that breaks the law will be dealt with accordingly.
He said that movement would be restricted between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. in the 10 Local Government Areas where the election would be held as part of security measures.
“The entry point from Gbongan to Ibadan into one of the local government areas and other entry points into districts where the election would be held will be blocked by the police to prevent any form of infiltration during the election.
“Any unauthorised person or individual and those with no business at the polling or collation centres should stay away from such locations during the election, ’’ the commissioner warned.
Adeoye advised politicians and candidates to prevail on their supporters and members not to cause problems during or after the election.
He said that anybody caught violating the electoral law would be arrested and dealt with as an individual and not as a member of a political party.
The commissioner assured the electorate of adequate protection.
In the same vein, the Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Osun, Mr Philip Ayodele, also assured the electorate of adequate security during and after the election.
According to Ayodele, the NSCDC is collaborating with other security agencies to provide the needed security to all persons that will take part in the election, including officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), party agents and the electorate.
“We have 911 polling units in Osun West, and adequate security arrangements have been made to ensure a violent-free election.
“Those planning to unleash mayhem and rig the election should forget about it,’’ he said.
The NSCDC commandant, however, advised the electorate to be law-abiding and urged all parents to warn their children not to allow themselves to be used by politicians.