▪️ Adeleke Declares CP Gotan Has Lost Public Confidence
▪️ IGP Orders Arrest and Prosecution of Political Killers
▪️ Governor Demands Restructuring of Osun Police Command
OSOGBO – The Deputy Inspector General of Police in charge of the South-West, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, has acknowledged the worsening wave of political violence in Osun State, admitting that "gangsterism" is beginning to take root as the August 15 governorship election approaches.
Speaking during a visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo on behalf of the Inspector General of Police, DIG Fayoade disclosed that the IGP specifically directed him to intervene in Osun's security situation and restore public confidence ahead of the election.
The senior police officer warned that the Nigeria Police Force would no longer tolerate political killings, brigandage or violence, revealing that he had directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police and other senior officers to ensure that anyone involved in murder or political violence is arrested and prosecuted.
"We don't want a situation where Osun State will be taken over by bandits or criminals. As elections approach, we are witnessing acts of gangsterism. The Inspector General is aware, and we are determined to put a stop to it," the DIG said.
He added that the IGP had instructed the Assistant Inspector General of Police and the Osun Commissioner of Police to guarantee peaceful elections, insisting that Osun must not depart from the peaceful electoral standards recently recorded in Anambra and Ekiti states.
Adeleke: CP Has Lost Public Confidence
Responding, Governor Ademola Adeleke welcomed the intervention but maintained that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had lost the confidence of many residents.
According to the governor, there is widespread public perception that the police command has failed to act impartially despite repeated cases of political killings and attacks across the state.
"The general consensus among our people is that the Commissioner of Police is compromised and should be removed from Osun State," Adeleke said.
The governor stressed that Osun people were not asking for political favours but for impartial policing, protection of lives and strict enforcement of the law irrespective of political affiliation.
He also renewed his demand for a restructuring of the Osun Police Command to restore public confidence before the governorship election.
'No Responsible Governor Will Watch His People Die'
In an emotional address, Governor Adeleke lamented what he described as repeated attacks and killings without corresponding arrests, saying no responsible governor could remain silent while citizens were being killed.
He disclosed that he personally contacted the Inspector General of Police in the early hours of the morning after receiving reports of fresh killings, commending the police chief for responding immediately and dispatching the DIG to Osun.
While expressing appreciation to the IGP, the governor challenged the Osun Police Command to prove its neutrality by ensuring that every individual responsible for political violence is arrested regardless of party affiliation.
Political Violence Remains Major Concern
The meeting comes amid heightened political tension following several reported killings and violent attacks in different parts of Osun State in recent months.
Civil society organisations, political stakeholders and youth groups have repeatedly called for the redeployment of the Osun Commissioner of Police, arguing that decisive action is needed to restore confidence in the state's security architecture ahead of the election.
Although the DIG assured residents that the Nigeria Police Force would restore peace and prosecute perpetrators of political violence, fresh concerns emerged shortly after the visit as videos circulated on social media allegedly showing young people being abducted and assaulted by suspected political thugs in Ilesa before being forced into a Sienna vehicle reportedly linked to APC supporters.
The incident has further intensified public scrutiny over security in Osun and renewed calls for swift police action against perpetrators of election-related violence.
With both the Inspector General of Police and Governor Adeleke now publicly demanding an end to political killings, attention has shifted to whether security agencies will match their assurances with visible arrests and prosecutions before the August 15 governorship election.
