The Nigeria Police Force bars Amotekun, vigilante groups and other non-state security outfits from participating in security operations for the Osun State governorship election. The police issue the directive to prevent such groups from taking part in election security activities.
Across the reports, the barred groups include the Western Nigeria Security Network (Amotekun), Joint Civilian Task Force (CJTF), hunters’ associations, community-based security groups, and neighbourhood watch outfits. Police communication says these formations have no role in election security and warns that political parties, candidates and supporters must not arm, engage or deploy them for election purposes. The police also say responsibility for election security rests with constitutionally recognized agencies.
The outlets consistently cite the same central message: the police directive applies to activities such as escorting electoral materials, guarding polling units, mounting checkpoints and bearing arms during the election. They also report that the election takes place across Osun’s 30 local government areas on Saturday, August 15, 2026, and that election offences will be investigated and prosecuted. Differences are mainly in how each outlet lists the categories of groups and provides local framing, but the substance aligns.
