Osun Guber: IGP Deploys New Election CP as INEC Identifies 11 Flashpoint LGAs

• CP Erale Samuel Etaifo takes over security operations for August 15 poll as former CP Gotan is redeployed to Force Headquarters amid neutrality concerns.

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has deployed a new Commissioner of Police in charge of Elections, CP Erale Samuel Etaifo, to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. The deployment comes as part of measures to strengthen security arrangements and ensure the neutrality of security agencies during the poll. In a statement signed by the Osun State Police Command Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Thursday, July 30, 2026, the Police said the deployment reflects the Inspector-General’s commitment to neutrality, professionalism, and adherence to democratic principles throughout the election. CP Etaifo will oversee the entire security architecture for the poll and coordinate election security operations with other security agencies and stakeholders.

CP Etaifo’s deployment follows the redeployment of the former Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja on special duty. His redeployment was conveyed in a police wireless message issued by the Force Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday and marked “Most Immediate,” with a directive for immediate implementation. The move comes after persistent calls from the state government and civil society organisations for Gotan’s removal over allegations of partisanship. The Accord Party had accused the police of orchestrating a campaign of intimidation against its members and top government officials ahead of the election. According to the party, about 100 Accord leaders, candidates, members, and supporters across the state have been arrested and detained by the police, with some reportedly moved to Abuja. However, a senior police source clarified that the redeployment was not linked to any specific allegation against CP Gotan and that he may be redeployed back to the state after the election. Sources familiar with the development also noted that Erale’s posting came shortly after his promotion to the rank of Commissioner of Police, having been decorated with his new rank on July 21.

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According to the Osun Command, CP Etaifo will ensure strict compliance with the Electoral Act, the Code of Conduct for Security Personnel on Electoral Duty, and other extant laws guiding the electoral process. The police assured residents that comprehensive security measures have been put in place across the state to protect lives, property, and critical electoral materials before, during, and after the election. All officers deployed for election duty have been directed to remain impartial, professional, and respectful of the rights of every citizen, irrespective of political affiliation. The Command also issued a strong warning to political actors and their supporters, stating that electoral violence, vote buying, voter intimidation, the spread of misinformation, and any other form of criminality will be met with the full weight of the law. Residents were urged to remain law-abiding, cooperate with security agencies, and report any suspicious activities through the Command’s emergency channels. The Nigeria Police Force reiterated its commitment to providing a level playing field for all political parties and ensuring that the will of the people prevails through a peaceful, credible, and transparent electoral process.

Meanwhile, the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission, Professor Joash Amupitan, has reiterated that INEC has no preferred candidate for the election, assuring that the Commission will provide a level playing field for all candidates and parties. He urged residents to come out en masse and vote, assuring that adequate security will be provided. “The Independent National Electoral Commission has no preferred candidate, holds no political allegiance, and seeks no outcome other than the lawful choice of the electorate. Our sole loyalty is to the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the sovereign will of the Nigerian people,” Amupitan said at a stakeholders’ meeting in Osogbo. During a courtesy visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo, Amupitan declared that the next governor of Osun State would emerge through the ballot and not through violence. “We don’t want violence. And the blood of every Osun citizen is not worth to be shed, just for the purpose of election to the office of the governor,” he said. The INEC Chairman disclosed that the Commission had identified 11 Local Government Areas as potential flashpoints that would receive specialised, high-visibility security deployment. These include Atakumosa East, Atakumosa West, Boripe, Ede North, Ede South, Ife Central, Ifedayo, Ila, Osogbo, Ifelodun, and Oriade local government areas. “Security forces have been issued strict operational directives to neutralise thuggery, cult activities, and any attempt at ballot disruption, while maintaining absolute professional neutrality,” Amupitan stated.

According to INEC, the election will feature 2,339,233 registered voters spread across 30 Local Government Areas, 332 Registration Areas (Wards), and 3,763 Polling Units in the state. Fourteen political parties will participate in the contest. A total of 4,427 Bimodal Voter Accreditation System (BVAS) devices have been customised and deployed for the election, including 664 dedicated backup units representing a 15% operational reserve. All polling unit result sheets (Form EC8A) will be scanned and uploaded directly from the polling unit to the INEC Result Viewing Portal (IReV), guaranteeing public transparency from the moment voting closes. The Commission also announced that a statewide Mock Accreditation Exercise is scheduled for Saturday, August 1, 2026, across 12 selected Local Government Areas to test its preparedness ahead of the governorship election.

Osun Guber: IGP Deploys New Election CP as INEC Identifies 11 Flashpoint LGAs

Catholic Priest Found Dead in Kogi After Machete Attack as Police, Govt Launch Investigations

The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja and the Kogi State community are in mourning following the tragic death of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, a Catholic priest whose lifeless body was found by the roadside along Church Road in Ajaokuta, Kogi State. The cleric, who served at St. Mary’s Catholic Church in Egbe and was also associated with St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, was reportedly attacked by yet-to-be-identified assailants on July 29, 2026. Initial reports indicated that the priest was stabbed multiple times, but police later confirmed that he had sustained severe machete cuts to the head. According to a source, Fr. Oyetoro was on relief duty to the steel town of Ajaokuta when his life was cut short. A native of Ayetoro in Ijumu Local Government Area, he was born in Egbe, Yagba West Local Government Area of Kogi State. The police received a report at about 9:30 a.m. on July 29 that the body of an unidentified male had been discovered along the roadside in Ajaokuta. Officers who responded to the scene observed the severe injuries, evacuated the body to the ASCL Hospital, where a medical doctor confirmed the priest dead, and then deposited the remains at a mortuary for an autopsy.

In an obituary issued by its Chancery Office on July 29, 2026, the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announced the priest’s passing, describing the loss with deep sorrow while expressing hope in the resurrection. “It is with profound sorrow and in the hope of the resurrection that the Catholic Diocese of Lokoja announces the passing of our beloved priest, Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro, who departed this life on Wednesday, 29th July 2026,” the Diocese said. The Church described the late priest as a devoted servant of God whose life was marked by dedication to the ministry. “As we mourn the loss of our dear brother and priest, we commend his soul to the infinite mercy of God, whom he served with dedication and love,” the statement read. The Diocese urged priests, religious faithful and members of the laity to remember the deceased in their prayers and Holy Masses while also seeking divine comfort for his family and the Lokoja Diocese. “We kindly request all priests, religious and laity to pray for the peaceful repose of his soul during their Holy Masses and personal prayers and to pray for strength and consolation for his aged parents, siblings, parishioners and the entire Diocese of Lokoja during this time of grief,” it said. The obituary ended with a prayer for the repose of the late priest’s soul: “Eternal rest grant unto him, O Lord, and let perpetual light shine upon him. May the soul of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi Oyetoro and the souls of all the faithful departed, through the mercy of God, rest in peace. Amen.”

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Confirming the incident, the Kogi State Police Command’s spokesperson, ASP Oyiza Afusat, stated that the killing occurred on July 29, 2026, and that the case is under active investigation. “On 29th July 2026, at about 9:30 a.m., the police received information that the lifeless body of an unidentified male was found by the roadside along Church Road, Ajaokuta,” she said. “Operatives promptly mobilised to the scene, where it was observed that the deceased had sustained severe machete cuts to the head. The body was evacuated to the ASCL Hospital, where he was confirmed dead by a medical doctor, and was thereafter deposited at the mortuary for autopsy,” she added. The deceased was later identified as Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi of St. Paul Parish, Ayetoro Gbede, Ijumu LGA, Kogi State. The police confirmed that efforts are ongoing to apprehend those responsible, and upon the conclusion of preliminary investigation, the case will be transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for discreet investigation. “We will provide further updates as the investigation progresses,” ASP Afusat added.

The Kogi State Government has also stepped in, with Governor Ahmed Usman Ododo directing security agencies to carry out a thorough investigation and ensure that the perpetrators face justice. The directive was announced in a statement by the Kogi State Commissioner for Information and Communications, Kingsley Fanwo, who described the killing as a “heinous and unacceptable act”. “The murder of Rev. Fr. Samuel Opeyemi is a painful tragedy that has saddened the Government and the people of Kogi State. We condemn this barbaric act in the strongest possible terms and assure the Church and the family of the deceased that the perpetrators will not escape justice,” the statement read. Fanwo said the government had absolute confidence in the capacity of security agencies to unravel the incident and assured that it would provide all necessary support to ensure justice is served. He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with security agencies by providing credible information, while cautioning against spreading rumours capable of undermining the investigation. The government reaffirmed its commitment to the protection of lives and property and pledged to continue to strengthen security across the state.

The tragic death of Rev. Fr. Oyetoro has thrown the Catholic community and many residents of Kogi State into mourning. The incident has prompted calls for a thorough investigation to ensure the perpetrators are apprehended and prosecuted. As investigations continue, the motive behind the killing remains unknown. Authorities have yet to release a detailed official account of the incident, while the search for those responsible intensifies. The Catholic Diocese of Lokoja has called on all faithful to remember the slain priest in their prayers and Holy Masses during this period of grief.

Catholic Priest Found Dead in Kogi After Machete Attack as Police, Govt Launch Investigations

Vehicle allegedly driven by drunk soldier kills two police inspectors

Two police inspectors attached to the Kawo Police Division in Kaduna State have died after a Toyota Hilux vehicle allegedly driven by a soldier struck them near the Nigerian Defence Academy (NDA) Junction in Kaduna metropolis.

The fatal incident reportedly occurred on Thursday in the Kawo area while the officers were crossing the road as pedestrians.

The deceased officers were identified as Inspector Tanko Musa and Inspector Ajubi Onah.

According to sources familiar with the incident, the Toyota Hilux was reportedly travelling at high speed when it rammed into the two officers at the busy junction.

A source described the incident as a “black moment” for the Kawo Police Division and alleged that the vehicle was driven by a soldier who was under the influence of alcohol.

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However, the allegation that the driver was intoxicated had not been independently confirmed as of the time of filing this report. No official medical assessment, police investigation report or statement from military authorities had been released to establish the claim.

A video said to have been recorded shortly after the crash showed the bodies of the two police officers on the road as residents and sympathisers gathered at the scene.

The incident has reportedly caused grief among officers and personnel attached to the Kawo Police Division.

As of the latest available information, there was no official confirmation that the driver had been arrested or taken into custody.

The identity of the alleged driver, the military unit involved and other circumstances surrounding the crash were also not immediately available.

Neither the Kaduna State Police Command nor the Nigerian Army had issued an official statement on the incident at the time of publication.

The circumstances surrounding the fatal crash are expected to be investigated to establish the identity of the driver, the speed of the vehicle and whether any traffic or road-safety regulations were violated.

Investigators may also examine claims concerning the driver’s condition at the time of the incident and determine whether any other factors contributed to the crash.

The incident has renewed concerns about road safety, responsible driving and the need for thorough and transparent investigations into fatal accidents involving security personnel or official vehicles.

Further updates are expected from the police, military authorities or other relevant agencies as investigations continue.

Vehicle allegedly driven by drunk soldier kills two police inspectors