By Gbenga Olarinoye

OSOGBO—Operatives of the Department of State  Service, DSS, yesterday stormed Osogbo, the Osun State capital and other major towns in the state preparatory to the August 9 governorship election in the state, even as the Independent National Electoral Commission,  INEC, assured that the poll would be free and fair.

The DSS operatives were strategically positioned in major areas of the town while some moved round major streets.

It was gathered that over 5,000 operatives  were deployed to the state to maintain law and order before and during the governorship election.

Some of the operatives who wore black T shirts and with masks on their faces moved round the state capital and shot sporadically into the air,  scaring many residents.

At the popular Olaiya junction in Osogbo, the operatives who moved in vehicles marked “Department of State Service” shot into the air several time and scared passengers and people waiting at the popular junction.”

Other areas where the operatives were seen in Osogbo include, Kobongbogboe, Old Garagem, Odi Olowo, Alekuwoo and Oke-fia.

The state government, in its reaction to the development, described it as an attempt to militarise the state ahead of the election.

The Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment, Mr Bola Ilori noted that the Peoples Democratic Party, PDP, was behind the deployment of the operatives to the state.

He said “the deployment of security operatives to the state is normal if they are here to protect us. But, any arrest of any member of the APC in the state will be against the interest of democracy.”

The Special Adviser said  the development was an abuse of office by the Federal Government, urging the people of the state to remain calm in spite of all victimisations.