Seeks Redeployment of Osun CP, Deployment of Tactical Units Ahead of Governorship Election
Prominent Abuja-based lawyer and spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council (TICC), Pelumi Olajengbesi, has formally petitioned the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and senior police authorities, demanding urgent intervention over what he described as the growing wave of political killings and violence across Osun State.
Olajengbesi, in a petition submitted at the Force Headquarters in Abuja on Thursday, expressed deep concern over the worsening security situation in the state, warning that continued political violence poses a serious threat to public safety, democratic governance, and the credibility of the August 15 governorship election.
The legal practitioner urged the police high command to immediately deploy additional tactical personnel to identified flashpoints across Osun State and take decisive measures to halt the killings, attacks, and destruction of property allegedly being perpetrated by political thugs.
According to him, residents of several communities now live under an atmosphere of fear due to recurring incidents of politically-motivated violence, with innocent citizens becoming victims of attacks linked to electoral activities.
Olajengbesi particularly lamented the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, describing the incident as one of several tragic examples of the deteriorating security situation in the state.
The lawyer stated that his petition was accompanied by schedules containing names of victims, dates and locations of attacks, witness statements, photographs, video evidence, media reports, and other documentary materials intended to assist investigators.
He argued that the pattern of violence recorded in recent months demonstrates the need for urgent intervention from the police hierarchy before the situation escalates further.
The petition also criticized the handling of security matters by the Osun State Police Command, alleging that repeated incidents have weakened public confidence in law enforcement and raised concerns about the effectiveness of policing in the state.
As part of his demands, Olajengbesi called for a comprehensive investigation into all reported incidents of political violence, insisting that every individual involved in sponsoring, financing, facilitating, or carrying out attacks should be identified, arrested, and prosecuted irrespective of political affiliation or social status.
He further requested the immediate deployment of additional tactical and conventional police personnel across vulnerable communities and urged the police leadership to conduct a thorough review of the state's security architecture ahead of the governorship election.
A major highlight of the petition was his call for the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, CP Mohammed Umar Abba Gotan, which he argued would help restore public confidence in election security and law enforcement neutrality.
The lawyer also urged the Inspector-General of Police to direct all police formations in Osun State to enforce the law impartially and professionally throughout the electoral season.
"The forthcoming governorship election must not be conducted under an atmosphere of fear. Elections should be determined by the freely expressed will of the people through the ballot and not by intimidation, violence, or bloodshed," Olajengbesi stated in the petition.
He maintained that every unresolved incident of violence encourages impunity and weakens confidence in democratic institutions, stressing that decisive action by the police would help reassure citizens that their safety remains a priority.
The petition is expected to intensify ongoing public debate over security and political violence in Osun State as preparations for the 2026 governorship election gather momentum.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official response to the petition.
