Ex-AIG Yaro Urges Restraint Ahead of Osun Election

Abutu Yaro, a former Assistant Inspector-General of Police, advised political actors participating in the August 15 Osun State governorship election to exercise restraint and avoid actions that could incite violence. Speaking in Abuja during the Kimpact Development Initiative’s pre-election security risk assessment presentation, Yaro noted that 12 local government areas in Osun were identified as high-risk.

He stated that insecurity during elections is often instigated by political interests and emphasized that security agencies can only do so much if politicians do not adhere to electoral rules. Yaro called for the timely provision of election logistics, warning that delays could provoke public anger and lead to violence.

He also urged journalists and social media users to refrain from spreading unverified information, labeling misinformation as a significant security threat. Bukola Idowu, Executive Director of Kimpact Development Initiative, supported Yaro's claims, stating that the assessment highlighted the need for operational security and political intervention in the identified high-risk areas.