A new report has raised serious safety concerns ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

The Kimpact Development Initiative found 73 election-related violent incidents that resulted in 29 deaths. The state capital, Osogbo, recorded the highest number of attacks.

According to the report, much of the violence is not random crime but a deliberate strategy tied to intense political competition. The most common forms included shootings, intimidation, and destruction of property. Most of the incidents happened between May and July 2026.

The organization is calling on all election stakeholders to work together, and is urging the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy its resources early.

In a separate development, police arrested Alalade Bukola Félix, an aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke, during a raid. The arrest sparked protests led by the Governor’s wife, who accused security forces of violence and intimidation targeting members of the Accord party. She is calling for peaceful conditions ahead of the election.