Adeleke calls for halt to partisan clashes in Osun state

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged authorities to apprehend and prosecute individuals suspected of perpetrating violent crimes across the state, emphasizing that these recurring attacks must be brought to an end. He also reiterated his call for the removal of Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of failing to maintain impartiality in addressing instances of political violence.

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A statement issued by the governor's spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, revealed that Adeleke made these remarks during a meeting with the Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the ICT Department, Force Headquarters, Abuja, Adegoke Fayoade, at the Government House in Osogbo.

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The meeting was also attended by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Osogbo, Akinyele Fasuba, and Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, who were part of the Deputy Inspector General's entourage.

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Adeleke stressed that it is essential not only to put an end to the violence but also to identify and prosecute those responsible for these acts.

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The governor expressed his concerns to the visiting dignitaries, stating that their presence in the state coincided with a period of heightened negligence and partisanship among some police officers, which has exacerbated political violence in the state.

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He highlighted specific incidents, including the unresolved murders of Eluyera at Ikire, Ezekiel at Ilobu, and Aderogba at Esa Oke, which occurred in the preceding few weeks, emphasizing that no arrests had been made in connection with these crimes.

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Adeleke also drew attention to the fact that political thugs had been roaming the town, firing shots indiscriminately and attacking innocent residents, while also destroying Accord billboards, with the police command seemingly turning a blind eye to these incidents.

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He criticized the police for their apparent reluctance to arrest suspects in these cases, despite their identities being well-known, while simultaneously demonstrating eagerness to apprehend Accord members on minor grounds.

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Adeleke concluded by stating that he had taken note of the message from the Inspector-General of Police and awaited the outcome of the interventions, while also counting on the visiting dignitaries to put an end to the spate of killings, and reiterating that the state police commissioner had failed to meet expectations.

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Earlier, Deputy Inspector General of Police Adegoke Fayoade stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had instructed the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that acts of violence and brigandage were not tolerated in the state.

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Fayoade assured the governor that any instances of murder, brigandage, or other unlawful acts would be thoroughly investigated, and those found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted.

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He expressed his commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming elections in Osun State would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, citing the recent elections in Anambra and Ekiti as examples of the standard that would be followed.

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Fayoade gave his assurance to the governor that the police would fulfill their obligations, with the Commissioner of Police and his team performing their duties in accordance with the Constitution and the rule of law, and that no individual would be allowed to violate the law and cause chaos in the state.