Osun State Gov. Ademola Adeleke has called for the arrest and prosecution of suspected political thugs involved in violent attacks across the state, saying recurring violence must end.
Adeleke also renewed his call for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of failing to act impartially in addressing political violence.
The governor made the remarks while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the ICT Department at the Force Headquarters, Adegoke Fayoade, at the Government House in Osogbo, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
Also in Fayoade’s delegation were the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Akinyele Fasuba, and Gotan.
Adeleke said those responsible for political violence in the state must be identified and prosecuted.
“You are in this state at a time negligence and partisanship of some of your officers have worsened political violence in the state,” the governor said.
He alleged that some police officers were collaborating with political thugs and accused the command of failing to make arrests despite a series of killings and violent attacks.
Adeleke cited the killings of three individuals — identified as Eluyera in Ikire, Ezekiel in Ilobu and Aderogba in Esa Oke — saying no arrests had been made.
He also alleged that political thugs recently drove through parts of the state shooting sporadically, attacking residents and destroying Accord Party billboards without police intervention.
“I have listened to the message from the Inspector-General of Police. We wait to see the outcome of these interventions. We count on you to stop the spate of killings. Your state police commissioner has failed us,” Adeleke said.
Responding, Fayoade said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Osun commissioner of police to ensure that violence and other unlawful acts were not tolerated in the state.
He said all cases of murder, brigandage and other criminal acts would be thoroughly investigated, with anyone found culpable arrested and prosecuted.
Fayoade also assured the governor that security agencies would ensure a peaceful environment for the forthcoming elections in Osun State.
“We are not going to allow anybody to violate the law of the land and cause any havoc or uneasiness in the state,” he said.
He added that police officers in the state would perform their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law.
