Ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, no fewer than 73 election-related violent incidents resulting in 29 deaths have been recorded across the state.
This was disclosed in the Pre-Election Security Risk Assessment (ESRA) released by the Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), which identified Osogbo, the state capital, as the worst-hit area.
The report, titled “2026 Osun Election Integrity and Security Assessment: Electoral Pressures, Risk Scenarios and Strategic Mitigation Priorities,” was presented in Abuja on Monday.
According to the assessment, about 12 local government areas have been identified as high-risk locations requiring targeted security operations and political interventions to prevent further violence and ensure a peaceful election.
The report noted that the major threat to the August 15 election was not widespread violence across the state, but the convergence of political, criminal, operational, social, coercive and information-related pressures in a limited number of locations.
It warned that electoral violence in Osun was becoming increasingly strategic rather than spontaneous, with incidents concentrated around politically significant areas and potentially being used to intimidate voters, suppress turnout and influence electoral outcomes.
Of the 73 incidents recorded, 54, representing 78 per cent, occurred between May and July 2026, coinciding with increased political activities and election campaigns.
The assessment suggested that intense political competition had overtaken ordinary criminality as the principal driver of violence in the state.
Among the recurring forms of violence identified were shootings and killings, physical assaults, intimidation and harassment, kidnappings, destruction of property and verbal attacks.
Osogbo emerged as the principal hotspot, recording 22 election-related violent incidents and 15 fatalities, the highest concentration of both incidents and deaths in the state.
KDI called for coordinated action involving the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, traditional institutions, civil society organisations and the media.
It also urged INEC to ensure early deployment of personnel and election materials, conduct logistics simulations, prepare contingency plans for difficult locations and strengthen real-time monitoring of election-day activities.
Police Arrest Governor’s Media Aide
Meanwhile, a Special Assistant on Media to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Alalade Bukola Félix, popularly known as Machiavelli, was reportedly arrested by operatives of the Osun State Police Command.
Alalade was reportedly taken from his residence in the early hours of Monday after policemen allegedly broke down the door of his home during an operation.
His wife, Folakemi, said the couple were asleep when she noticed lights outside their residence at about 1:00 a.m.
She said the men repeatedly called her husband’s name and ordered him to come outside, but the couple refused to open the door because they were unsure of their identity.
According to her, the men eventually forced their way into the residence.
“When they came inside, we tried to beg them. They said no, so they took him away,” she said.
Folakemi added that the men identified themselves as policemen when asked who they were, but did not disclose the particular command or formation to which they belonged.
First Lady Leads Protest Over Alleged Violence
Amid growing concerns over alleged violence, arrests and intimidation involving members of the Accord Party, Osun State First Lady, Titilola Adeleke, on Monday led a protest in Osogbo to demand a peaceful environment ahead of Saturday’s governorship election.
The First Lady was accompanied by women, including the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Ayobola Awolowo, and the Special Adviser on Market Matters to the Governor, Eniola Omotosho.
The protesters marched from Laro Grammar School through Lameco before proceeding to the headquarters of the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo.
Addressing the Commissioner of Police in charge of the election, Samuel Etaifo, Adeleke appealed to the police to investigate alleged cases of violence in parts of the state.
She specifically called for the questioning of Senator Francis Adenigba Fadahunsi, Wole Oke and Kehinde Raji over the allegations.
“We are demanding for free and fair election in the forthcoming poll. We want peace, let there be peace,” she said.
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