IGP Orders Immediate End to Political Killings, Violence in Osun, Adeleke Demands Arrest of Culprits
By Waliu Adetokun, Osogbo
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has directed the Nigeria Police Force to immediately halt the wave of political killings and violence in Osun State, assuring residents that perpetrators of criminal acts will be investigated, arrested and prosecuted.
The directive was delivered on Friday by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG) in charge of the South-West, Adegoke Fayoade, during a meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo.
The DIG, who was accompanied by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 11, the Osun State Commissioner of Police and other senior officers, said he was deployed to the state on the instruction of the IGP to assess the security situation and ensure immediate implementation of measures to restore peace.
Conveying the IGP’s message, Fayoade said the police leadership had resolved that no further acts of violence would be tolerated in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police and his men have been instructed that never again should any act of brigandage take place in this state. The Inspector-General has directed the AIG and the Commissioner of Police to take charge and ensure that the violence creating fear and apprehension among residents is brought to an end.
“On the instruction of the Inspector-General, I have also directed the AIG and the Commissioner of Police that every act of murder, brigandage or any unlawful activity in the state must be thoroughly investigated. Anybody found culpable should be arrested and prosecuted.”
The DIG assured the governor that the police would provide adequate security before, during and after the forthcoming elections, adding that the peaceful conduct of recent elections in Anambra and Ekiti states had set the standard the force intends to maintain in Osun.
“I want to assure you that the forthcoming elections in Osun State will be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere. We witnessed peaceful elections in Anambra and, just last Saturday, in Ekiti. We expect nothing different in Osun. That is the standard that has been set, and that is the standard we are determined to uphold.”
He further pledged that the police would discharge their constitutional responsibilities professionally and without bias.
“The Commissioner of Police and his men will perform their duties in line with the Constitution and the rule of law. We will not allow anyone to violate the law, create fear or disrupt public peace in the state.”
Fayoade disclosed that he had already met with officers and men of the Osun State Command to review security strategies aimed at tackling the current challenges.
“We must rise to the occasion. I have addressed officers and men of the command, and we have restrategised. They have been directed to redouble their efforts and bring an end to these acts of violence that are embarrassing the country.”
He also revealed that he paid a visit to the Ataoja of Osogbo to reassure the traditional ruler that the police were committed to restoring lasting peace.
“We do not want a situation where Osun State is taken over by bandits, criminals or political thugs. Neither do we want the state to become unsafe for economic activities. As the elections approach, we need absolute peace. We will not tolerate violence or murder in any form.
“Until recently, Osun was peaceful, but as political activities intensify, we are beginning to witness increasing acts of gangsterism. The Inspector-General specifically directed me to inform Your Excellency that the police are fully aware of the situation and are determined to bring it under control.”
Responding, Governor Adeleke welcomed the intervention of the police leadership but insisted that restoring peace must be accompanied by the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for recent killings and violent attacks.
“Violence must not only stop; those responsible must be identified, arrested and prosecuted.”
The governor alleged that the actions of some police officers had contributed to the worsening security situation in the state.
“You are visiting Osun at a time when negligence and partisanship by some police officers have worsened political violence. Some officers are openly collaborating with political thugs to unleash violence on innocent people.”
Adeleke expressed concern over the unresolved killings of Eluyera in Ikire, Ezekiel in Ilobu and Aderogba in Esa-Oke, lamenting that no arrests had been made despite the incidents.
“We have recorded three political murders in recent weeks, yet there has not been a single arrest.”
He also accused political thugs of attacking residents and destroying Accord Party billboards without intervention from the police.
“Political thugs have been driving around communities, shooting sporadically, attacking innocent residents and destroying Accord Party billboards. Even when the suspects are widely known, no arrests have been made.”
While reaffirming his confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, Adeleke called for impartial policing and strict adherence to the rule of law.
“Our administration has confidence in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police to sustain peace and stability in Osun State. What we seek is the enforcement of the law without fear or favour.”
The governor also questioned the performance of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, saying many residents had lost confidence in his ability to act impartially.
“The Commissioner of Police has demonstrated a lack of willingness and capacity to act fairly and without partisan bias. The general consensus among the people of Osun is that he has been compromised and should be redeployed. What Osun needs is fair, impartial and professional policing based on respect for the rule of law.”
He urged the police authorities to restructure the state command to guarantee a peaceful atmosphere ahead of the elections.
“Osun people want free and fair elections. They deserve a peaceful environment in which to exercise their democratic rights. We believe a reshuffling of the state police command is necessary to guarantee impartial policing.”
Concluding his remarks, Adeleke said the people of the state were looking forward to seeing concrete results from the intervention ordered by the Inspector-General of Police.
“I have listened to the message from the Inspector-General of Police, and we look forward to seeing the outcome of these interventions. We count on you to end the wave of killings. Your state Commissioner of Police has failed us.”