Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, Prof. Joash Amupitan, has expressed grave concern regarding the level of insecurity in Osun State as the August 15, 2026 governorship election approaches.

He issued a caution to political leaders and their supporters as the Commission collaborated with the National Peace Committee (NPC), security agencies, traditional rulers, and 14 competing political parties to sign a Peace Accord in preparation for the Osun State Governorship Election.

During the signing event in Osogbo, Amupitan, SAN, indicated that the Commission had successfully completed 11 tasks outlined in its Timetable and Schedule of Activities, with only the conclusion of campaigns at midnight on August 13 and the commencement of polls on August 15 remaining.

He revealed that the Commission would be deployed across 30 Local Government Areas and the Modakeke Area Office, encompassing 332 Registration Areas and 3,763 Polling Units, with a verified Register of Voters comprising 2,339,233 eligible voters following the Automated Biometric Identification System (ABIS) exercise.

Amupitan noted that 322,822 Permanent Voter Cards, which account for 62 percent of newly registered voters, had been collected by the end of primary distribution. He added that the collection period at all Local Government Area offices had been extended to Friday, July 31, 2026, to promote inclusivity.

The INEC Chairman expressed his concerns regarding the security landscape leading up to the election, asserting that the Commission would not permit the democratic will of the populace to be undermined by fear or coercion.

He emphasized that INEC was profoundly troubled by reports of violence and intimidation in various regions of the state, characterizing insecurity as a direct threat to the integrity of the ballot.

Amupitan stated that the Commission had adjusted its security approach from reactive monitoring to proactive prevention, establishing a strong collaboration through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES) to implement intelligence-driven security measures at every polling unit and collation center.

He said INEC was working closely with the Police and the Armed Forces to protect its staff, materials and voters, and warned that any attempt to disrupt the election would be met with the full weight of the law.

Regarding the theft of uncollected PVCs in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area, and Ife Central, the Chairman reassured the public that the stolen cards were non-functional, as accreditation could not occur without live biometric verification via the Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS).

He stated that the serial numbers of the stolen cards were being blacklisted, law enforcement was closing in on the offenders, and affected voters were being provided with replacement cards or permitted to download digital verification PVCs.

Amupitan indicated that the Commission had incorporated the Electoral Risk Management (ERM) framework into its planning to facilitate systematic collection, analysis, and monitoring of risk indicators across socio-political and security dimensions of the electoral process.

He noted that in collaboration with ICCES and other stakeholders, the Commission had identified localized risk corridors, recognized emerging threats, and prioritized interventions, especially in Atakumosa East and West, Boripe, Ede North and South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun, and Oriade Local Government Areas, which he referred to as hotspots that would receive specialized, high-visibility security deployment.

He further mentioned that security forces had been given strict operational directives to counter any form of violence or attempts at ballot disruption while ensuring complete professional neutrality.

Concerning vote buying, the INEC Chairman stated that the Commission was collaborating closely with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), and the Office of the Attorney-General of the Federation to deploy plain-cloth financial intelligence officers around polling unit perimeters.

He cautioned that anyone found engaging in vote buying or selling, whether through cash or digital transfers, would face arrest and prosecution under the Electoral Act 2026.

Amupitan said 4,427 BVAS devices, including a 15 per cent operational reserve, had been configured for the election, and that all polling unit result sheets would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after voting closes. He announced that a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise would hold on Saturday, 1 August 2026, across 12 Local Government Areas, four from each senatorial district, and invited candidates, party agents, observers and the media to witness the exercise.

He said the Commission had also integrated assistive devices across polling locations, including Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, EC40H posters for the hearing-impaired, and priority voting queues for persons with disabilities, pregnant women and the elderly.

Delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NPC Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan appealed to political parties to conduct their campaigns peacefully and to honour the accord in both spirit and letter, describing it as more than a ceremonial ritual.

Representing the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Akinyele Olabode assured residents of adequate police deployment across the state and pledged that officers would remain neutral throughout the process, drawing a comparison with the peaceful conduct of the Ekiti State election in June.

In his remarks, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, commended INEC’s independence and urged political actors to shun violence, describing Osun State as greater than the interests of any individual or party.

The event was attended by the Osun State Governor, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), INEC National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, other Senior Management team from INEC, traditional rulers, religious leaders, representatives of civil society, and Security agencies.

The INEC Chairman and his entourage also made two quick stops at the INEC Osogbo LGA office, and Ede-South Local government office as part of the readiness assessment tour. They were received by the Electoral Officers and other staff of the LGA offices.

Amupitan announced that 4,427 BVAS devices, which include a 15 percent operational reserve, have been set up for the election. He stated that all result sheets from polling units would be uploaded to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV) immediately after the conclusion of voting. Furthermore, he revealed that a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise is scheduled for Saturday, 1 August 2026, across 12 Local Government Areas, with four from each senatorial district, and extended an invitation to candidates, party agents, observers, and the media to attend the exercise.

He also mentioned that the Commission has incorporated assistive devices at polling locations, such as Braille ballot guides, magnifying glasses, EC40H posters for individuals with hearing impairments, and priority voting queues for persons with disabilities, pregnant women, and the elderly.

In delivering the welcome address on behalf of the NPC Chairman, General Abdulsalami Abubakar, Cardinal John Onaiyekan urged political parties to conduct their campaigns in a peaceful manner and to adhere to the accord in both spirit and letter, emphasizing that it is more than just a ceremonial obligation.

Assistant Inspector-General Fasuba Akinyele Olabode, representing the Inspector-General of Police, assured residents of sufficient police presence throughout the state and committed to maintaining neutrality among officers during the process, drawing parallels with the peaceful execution of the Ekiti State election in June.

In his address, the Ooni of Ife, Oba Enitan Ogunwusi, praised INEC’s autonomy and called on political figures to reject violence, asserting that Osun State’s interests surpass those of any individual or political party.

The event was attended by the Osun State Governor, the National Chairman of the Inter-Party Advisory Council (IPAC), INEC National Commissioners, the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Osun State, other senior management from INEC, traditional leaders, religious figures, civil society representatives, and security agencies.

The Federal Ministry of Defence says it would establish a comprehensive framework to implement the resolutions gathered from the 2026 Southeast regional security summit held in Umuahia, Abia State.

The Special Assistant to the Minister of Defence, Rear Admiral Oluwale Bankole (Rtd.), disclosed this on Thursday in Umuahia while reading out the communique of South East security summit hosted by Abia State.

Rear Admiral Bankole stated that the 2026 Southeast Regional Security Summit was convened by the Federal Ministry of Defence in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (Southeast) aimed at developing practical solutions to the security challenges in the South East.

The summit acknowledged that the security situation in the Southeast has improved significantly but noted that the region still grapples with serious threats, including kidnapping, armed robbery, politically motivated violence, attacks on security personnel and public infrastructure.

The summit also reported that proliferation of illicit arms, drug abuse, misinformation, criminal activities and the violent enforcement of unlawful sit-at-home orders were some factors that fueled insecurity in the South East.

The communiqué, which further noted that insecurity transcends state boundaries, said that criminal elements often operate across neighbouring states, making isolated responses by individual states ineffective.

It emphasized that no single government, institution or security agency can successfully address the prevailing challenges without sustained regional cooperation, coordinated action and the active participation of all stakeholders.

A major recommendation of the summit was the establishment of a shared South East database to facilitate intelligence gathering, including the use of CCTVs and coordinated law enforcement.

Also, the Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, who spoke at the event, called on the Nigerian media to give less prominence to negative news.

Osun State Government has accused the Nigeria Police of carrying out coordinated raids on the residences of senior government officials, alleging that the operations amount to intimidation ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government claimed that the latest operation involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Teslim Igbalaye, where police officers reportedly arrested individuals attending a political meeting.

According to the government, “the ward officials were meeting within the premises of the SSG’s residence while Igbalaye himself was attending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum elsewhere in Osogbo when police officers entered the property.”

Alimi alleged that the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, adding that members of the SSG’s family were also taken away during the raid.

“The SSG’s residence was bursted by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, with family members of the SSG taken to unknown destinations,” the statement said.

The state government further alleged that the operation formed part of a series of similar actions targeting members of the administration, claiming that the residences of about six commissioners and other senior government officials had also been searched by security operatives.

It also claimed that the residence of the Commissioner for Energy, Festus Adeyemo, in Ikire was raided on Tuesday, alleging that officers searched the premises and damaged property during the operation.

According to the government, “several other commissioners had reported surveillance around their homes, while some residences were allegedly entered despite, it claimed, the absence of any unlawful activity.”

The statement alleged that a number of members of the Accord had been detained at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command without being granted bail following recent security operations.

Describing the development as an attack on democratic institutions, the government said, “These raids on the SSG and our commissioners are an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun State. This campaign of repression constitutes grave danger to democracy.”

The government also accused the Osun State Police Command of acting in a partisan manner, alleging that the security agency had become “a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC” and was undermining constitutional principles.

It argued that the timing of the operations, which coincided with the visit of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission for election-related engagements, could negatively affect public confidence in the electoral process.

The government appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Service, the National Security Adviser, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and traditional rulers to intervene, urging them to halt what it described as targeted actions against government officials and members of the Accord Party.

“Our governor has consistently tasked the populace to calm down and not to take law into their own hands. The situation is reaching a boiling point. We must save our democracy from these lawless elements within the Nigerian police,” the statement added.

The government’s reaction came after an earlier announcement by the Osun State Police Command confirming the arrest of several suspects, including Secretary to the State Government Teslim Igbalaye, during an operation linked to an investigation into alleged vote buying in Osogbo.

The police’s disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

African Democratic Congress, ADC, has rejected the new campaign fees announced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency, ABSSAA.

DAILY POST recalls that the agency placed N200m and N150m outdoor campaign fees on presidential and governorship candidates, respectively.

The Abia advertising agency also placed N150m, N50m and N20m on Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates.

The Chairman of the ADC in Abia State, Kalu Kalu, who was present on Wednesday when the new campaign regime was announced, questioned the rationale behind the charges.

Kalu who was accompanied by the ADC House of Assembly candidate for Arochukwu constituency, Francess Ogbonnaya Tabitha, raised the alarm that the humongous fees contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, as regards campaign expenditure limit.

He also alleged that the campaign fees, if allowed to stay, could affect the chances of the candidates of the opposition parties, as well as destroy fair play during the 2027 polls in Abia.

“Has it not exceeded the election expenses that are provided by the Electoral Act,” the Abia State ADC Chairman fumed.

He advised the Abia agency to reduce the campaign fees to acceptable rates, noting that the agency must avoid actions that contravened the Electoral Act.

But unveiling the new campaign fees on Wednesday in Aba, the agency said no political party was being discriminated against in the advertising policy.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, has called for the establishment of permanent security formations in vulnerable communities following the killing of more than 30 residents of Narido (Kizakoro) community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Rev. Caleb Bawa Ma’aji, the association condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric assault on innocent civilians and a serious violation of the sanctity of human life.

CAN expressed deep sorrow over the massacre.

According to the association, the attackers showed a complete disregard for humanity by targeting peaceful residents, including men, women, children and the elderly.

The association said the latest attack was another painful reminder of the repeated violence suffered by the community.

It recalled that seven people were killed in a similar attack in August 2025, while another nine residents lost their lives and 11 others were injured in June 2026.

According to the statement, the fresh killings have once again forced the community to prepare for another mass burial.

“These recurring attacks show that existing security measures are not enough. We urge the government to establish permanent security formations and rapid response mechanisms in vulnerable communities to better protect innocent residents.”

It also urged authorities to deploy more security personnel, sustain military operations against criminal hideouts, improve intelligence gathering and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

“While we acknowledge the efforts of the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government, security agencies and other stakeholders in addressing insecurity, the continued loss of innocent lives shows that more decisive action is urgently needed,” the statement said.

CAN further called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack, including anyone found to be sponsoring or supporting the perpetrators.

It urged residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent future attacks.

CAN also encouraged religious and community leaders to continue promoting unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence despite the repeated violence.

The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, vigilante groups and other unauthorised security outfits from participating in security operations during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The directive was announced by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday through the zone’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ojedele Olanrewaju.

The police said only constitutionally recognised security agencies would be allowed to provide security before, during and after the governorship election.

According to the statement, the police, working with other authorised security agencies, will be responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the election period.

“As part of efforts to maintain law and order throughout the election period, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other constitutionally recognised security agencies, will be solely responsible for the provision of security before, during and after the election,” the statement declared.

The police also said all security personnel deployed for election duties must be properly identified and wear their approved official uniforms.

The AIG stressed that Amotekun, vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch organisations, political groups and other quasi-security outfits have no role in election security operations.

According to the statement, “Only constitutionally recognised security agencies are authorised to participate in election security operations. Amotekun, vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits, political organisations, neighbourhood watch groups or any other unauthorised body are not eligible to perform security functions, provide crowd control or interfere with the electoral process.”

The police warned that anyone or any group found carrying out unauthorised security duties or attempting to intimidate voters, electoral officials or other stakeholders would face legal consequences.

The command also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and obey the law throughout the election period.

It urged residents of Osun State to report suspicious movements, acts of violence, voter intimidation or any breach of the peace to the nearest police station or other authorised security agency.

The statement added, “The Nigeria Police Force, Zone XI Headquarters, remains committed to protecting lives and property, safeguarding the electoral process and providing a secure environment that will enable eligible voters to exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.”

The Commander Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin Mutkut, has urged troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, to remain aggressive, professional and committed in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East.

The Corps Commander gave the charge during an assessment visit to the brigade headquarters in Buni-Gari, Gujba LGA of Yobe State.

A statement signed on Wednesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Tasi’u Abdullahi Abbas, said the visiting General commended officers and soldiers for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity despite prevailing operational challenges.

He emphasized that sustained operational pressure remains key to denying terrorists freedom of action.

“The troops must maintain a high level of vigilance, discipline, combat readiness and offensive spirit in all operations.

“There should be no room for complacency in the theatre,” he said.

The Corps Commander also admonished personnel to remain law-abiding and disciplined in the discharge of their duties, while warning against social media misconduct, disclosure of operational locations, smoking, drug abuse and other vices capable of undermining operational effectiveness and the image of the Nigerian Army.

General Mutkut reassured the troops of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to their welfare, noting that good leadership remains a cornerstone of operational success.

The Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Mukhtar S. Mukhtar, who received the Corps Commander, said the visit would boost the morale of troops.

He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at eliminating the remnants of terrorist elements within its area of responsibility.

Governorship candidate of the Zenith Labour Party, ZLP, in the forthcoming Osun State election, Olufemi Adesuyi, has urged the Independent National Electoral Commission, INEC, to strengthen security at Permanent Voter Card, PVC, distribution centres across the state.

This is following the reported theft of voter cards in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area on Sunday.

Adesuyi, who made the appeal in a statement issued on Tuesday, stressed that enhanced protection at the 332 ward collection centres was essential to safeguard the integrity of the electoral process ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

He called on the Osun INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, Oluwatoyin Babalola, to work closely with security agencies to ensure adequate deployment of personnel to all PVC collection locations, particularly in vulnerable rural communities.

According to the ZLP standard-bearer, “the reported incident in Okuku should prompt immediate preventive measures to avoid similar occurrences in other parts of the state where eligible voters are collecting their cards.”

Adesuyi said the security of electoral materials remained fundamental to public confidence in the election, adding that every registered voter deserved unhindered access to their PVC without fear of disruption or criminal interference.

“We cannot afford a situation where citizens who have fulfilled their civic responsibility by registering are denied access to their Permanent Voter Cards because of security lapses or criminal activities,” he said.

He stated that, “The protection of PVCs and other electoral materials is critical to the credibility of the election. INEC should immediately reinforce security at all designated collection centres across Osun State.”

Adesuyi also warned that the reported theft in Odo-Otin should not be treated as an isolated incident, saying it exposed potential vulnerabilities that could threaten the ongoing PVC distribution exercise if left unaddressed.

“The Odo Otin incident should serve as a wake-up call. If one collection centre can be compromised, others may also be at risk. We urge the Resident Electoral Commissioner to act swiftly by securing all PVC distribution centres. Protect the votes and protect democracy,” he added.

The appeal is coming after reports that suspected hoodlums invaded a PVC distribution centre located at Oyinlola DC Primary School in Okuku during the ongoing collection exercise organised by INEC.

Witnesses said the assailants allegedly fired gunshots into the air, causing panic among residents and prospective voters before fleeing with packs of Permanent Voter Cards kept near officials attending to registrants.