IBADAN – The Oyo State Police Command has guaranteed the safety of residents ahead of the local government council elections scheduled for December 29, 2026.
The State Commissioner of Police, CP Abimbola Olugbenga, issued the assurance on Monday during a courtesy visit by the leadership of the Oyo State Independent Electoral Commission (OYSIEC) at the Command Headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
CP Olugbenga stated that the command is fully prepared to maintain law and order, emphasizing that a peaceful atmosphere is a prerequisite for a credible electoral process.
“I want to assure the Chairman and his entourage of the one hundred percent support of the command,” Olugbenga said. “We will collaborate effectively to show other states that we can conduct these polls successfully. There is no way we can ensure fair and credible elections without peace.”
The CP noted that the police would deploy resources to protect lives and property before, during, and after the exercise.
Earlier, OYSIEC Chairman Dr. Afees Adeniyi explained that the visit was intended to formally notify the police of the election date and to strengthen inter-agency collaboration. He highlighted public concerns regarding safety on election days and requested a robust police presence at all polling units.
“We are here to engage with your office and present our requests for the upcoming polls,” Dr. Adeniyi said. “We received tremendous support from this command in 2024 and look forward to further cooperation to ensure an environment free of intimidation.”
Dr. Adeniyi urged the command to prioritize the prevention of violence, stating the commission’s goal is to ensure that no lives are lost during the electoral process.
