The Nigeria Police Force has arrested 295 suspects over various incidents recorded during the August 15 Osun State governorship election.
The Force spokesperson, Ani Iniedu, disclosed on Sunday that 293 of those arrested had been released on bail following screening, while two suspects remained in police custody for further investigation and possible prosecution.
The arrests were made as part of heightened security operations deployed across the state to prevent electoral violence, vote-buying and other offences capable of disrupting the electoral process.
According to Iniedu, the two suspects still in custody would face further investigation over the allegations against them.
“295 suspects were arrested during the election, and 293 have been released on bail after screening. So, we have two of them in custody for prosecution,” he said.
The police had earlier warned political parties, candidates, supporters and other stakeholders against actions capable of undermining the election, stressing that anyone found violating the law would be arrested and prosecuted.
Meanwhile, the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) said none of its personnel arrested any suspect during the election.
The NSCDC spokesperson, Afolabi Babawale, said the Corps deployed personnel across the state’s local government areas and wards to prevent disruptions and respond to emerging security threats.
He explained that both armed and unarmed personnel were stationed at strategic locations to protect voters, polling units and electoral materials.
According to him, three fully armed patrol teams equipped with Hilux vehicles were deployed to every local government area to provide a visible security presence and respond to major incidents.
He added that three unarmed officers were assigned to each polling centre to maintain order and monitor activities, while two armed personnel were stationed approximately 500 metres away from each polling centre.
The combined security deployment was aimed at maintaining law and order during voting, counting and other stages of the electoral process.
