By The Metro 
The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police to Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, in a fresh security shake‑up ordered as preparations intensify for the poll.
According to Sahara Reporters, sources familiar with the development said that Commissioner of Police (CP) Samuel Erale has been posted to the state to oversee policing and election security. He replaces CP Ibrahim Gotan, whose removal from the Osun State Police Command was reported on Thursday.
Erale’s deployment comes barely days after his elevation to the rank of Commissioner of Police. He was officially decorated with the rank on July 21, according to an official Nigeria Police Force publication.
His posting is expected to place him at the forefront of security operations for the highly anticipated governorship election scheduled for August 15.
The development follows the redeployment of Gotan to Force Headquarters in Abuja, a transfer approved by the Inspector‑General of Police, Tunji Disu.
Gotan’s redeployment was communicated in a police wireless directive issued by the Force Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday and marked “Most Immediate.”
The signal, referenced TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.7/, was circulated to several police formations and departments nationwide, including the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of ICT, zonal AIGs, and Commissioners of Police in all states.
It read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE.”
It indicated that Gotan had been posted to the office of the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications Operations at Force Headquarters, Abuja, where he is to serve on special duty.
Police authorities instructed all affected formations and commands to implement the posting immediately and accord the directive the highest priority.