The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan remains the substantive Commissioner of Police in Osun State, dismissing reports that he had been redeployed from the command ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

In a statement issued on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Ani Iniedu, explained that Commissioner of Police Samuel Erale Etaifo was deployed to Osun solely as the Commissioner of Police for the governorship election. According to the statement, the deployment forms part of the Force’s election security strategy to ensure a peaceful, secure and credible poll.

Nigerian Lawyers Barred From Using ‘Barrister’ Title

Etaifo will coordinate election security operations across the state in collaboration with other security agencies and relevant stakeholders, while Gotan continues to oversee the day-to-day policing activities of the Osun State Command and provide administrative and operational support for the election.

“The Nigeria Police Force wishes to inform the general public of the deployment of Commissioner of Police, CP Samuel Erale Etaifo, to Osun State as CP elections, in preparation for the forthcoming governorship election,” the statement read. It added that “the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan, remains in charge of the State Command and will continue to supervise routine policing activities, while providing necessary administrative and operational support for the CP election.”

The police also reminded all officers deployed for election duties to maintain the highest standards of professionalism, impartiality and strict compliance with the law and the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty. The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, further urged political actors, supporters and members of the public to remain peaceful, law-abiding and cooperate fully with security agencies to ensure a safe, credible and successful governorship election in Osun State.