The Nigeria Police Force has denied reports that hundreds of police officers deployed to Osun State for the August 15, 2026 governorship election have been neglected or left without adequate food and basic welfare provisions.

The Force said the continued presence of the personnel in the state was part of established post-election security procedures and should not be interpreted as evidence of abandonment.

In a statement issued on Friday, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, Abuja, CSP Ani Iniedu, said the deployment was intended to sustain security, prevent possible post-election violence, address emerging threats and facilitate a smooth transition back to routine policing.

The clarification followed media reports alleging that hundreds of officers drawn from as many as 50 Police Mobile Force squadrons had remained in Osun weeks after the election, with some reportedly operating under difficult conditions and inadequate welfare provisions.

The police rejected the allegations, insisting that all personnel deployed for the election had received their approved entitlements.

“The Force rejects claims that personnel have been abandoned or subjected to inadequate welfare. All officers deployed for the election have received their approved entitlements, and command structures remain responsible for their welfare throughout the assignment,” the statement said.

According to the Force, the duration of the deployment is determined by operational and security considerations, rather than by administrative oversight.

The police also criticised the portrayal of the deployment as institutional neglect, saying such reports could affect personnel morale and public confidence in the Force.

The Force urged media organisations to verify claims, particularly those attributed to unnamed sources, before publishing reports that could mislead the public or undermine ongoing security operations.

The August 15 governorship election was won by incumbent Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party. He polled 511,067 votes against 444,815 votes recorded by the All Progressives Congress candidate, Bola Oyebamiji. Adeleke won 19 of the state’s 30 local government areas, while Oyebamiji won 11.

The police said they would continue to deploy personnel strategically where necessary to protect lives and property and maintain public order across the state.