Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police, accusing him of failing to tackle political violence and ensure impartial policing.
The governor also demanded the arrest and prosecution of individuals allegedly involved in politically motivated attacks across the state, insisting that those responsible for violence should no longer escape justice.
Adeleke made the remarks on Friday while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the ICT Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Adegoke Fayoade, at the Government House in Osogbo. His comments were conveyed in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.
According to the governor, the visit came at a critical time when alleged negligence and partisanship by some police officers had contributed to worsening insecurity in the state. He alleged that certain officers were working in collaboration with political thugs, enabling violent attacks on residents.
Adeleke expressed concern over what he described as the police’s inability to resolve recent politically related killings, citing the deaths of Eluyera in Ikire, Ezekiel in Ilobu, and Aderogba in Esa Oke. He noted that no arrests had been made in connection with the incidents.
The governor further alleged that armed political thugs had recently moved around parts of the state, firing shots, attacking residents, and vandalising Accord Party campaign billboards without facing any consequences. He claimed that while opposition party members were swiftly arrested over minor issues, suspects linked to killings and violent attacks remained untouched.
Insisting that the current police leadership in the state had failed to inspire public confidence, Adeleke urged the police hierarchy to reshuffle the Osun State Command to guarantee neutrality ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
He said the people of Osun deserved a peaceful atmosphere and a police command capable of ensuring free, fair, and credible elections. Adeleke added that he expected the Inspector-General of Police’s intervention to translate into concrete action, stressing that the current Commissioner of Police had failed the state.
Responding, DIG Adegoke Fayoade disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had already directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police to take charge of the security situation and restore order.
He said the police leadership had instructed that all cases involving murder, brigandage, and other criminal offences be thoroughly investigated, with anyone found culpable arrested and prosecuted.
Fayoade also assured residents that the police would provide adequate security before and during the forthcoming governorship election, promising that the exercise would be conducted peacefully and in line with constitutional provisions and the rule of law.
He added that the police would not tolerate any attempt by individuals or groups to disrupt public peace or undermine the electoral process.
The DIG was accompanied on the visit by the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Akinyele Fasuba, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.