The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned that the police will go after anyone involved in killings, clashes and political violence in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Disu gave the warning on Friday during a visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo, where he also disclosed that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had briefed him that some suspects wanted by the police were allegedly taking refuge in the Government House.
The IGP said he was in the state because of the growing security concerns and the rising number of deaths linked to political violence in recent months.
“I’m here because of the situation Osun State is turning into,” Disu said.
“I’ve taken my time to look at what is happening around here, and for a number of months now, we have been able to count the number of deaths and the number of crises and fighting in Osun.
“We are approaching a very important election, and this will not be entertained by us.
“We’ll go after each and every one who has committed any crime in this state.”
Disu said he had earlier deployed the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the zone to engage the state government and other stakeholders on measures to prevent further bloodshed.
He warned that the governorship election must not be treated as a war.
“The police will not condone unnecessary killings. It is not done anywhere in the world. I will not stand by it,” he said.
“This is an election; it is not a war. It’s an election, not a war.”
The IGP said security agencies had identified groups allegedly linked to the violence and that the Commissioner of Police had been directed to arrest anyone causing trouble in the state.
“Various groups of people who have been involved in this have been mapped out. The Commissioner of Police has been given the marching order to go after anybody causing trouble in the state,” he said.
“You cannot kill anybody and continue to walk around freely in the town.”
Disu also acknowledged complaints that Governor Adeleke and some others were dissatisfied with the conduct of the Osun State Commissioner of Police.
“If I tell you, sir, that I have not had complaints, I have lied, and I will explain everything to you one by one, sir.
“I have heard that you are not happy, and some people are not happy with the Commissioner of Police for this reason and that reason,” he said.
The IGP, however, said the commissioner had also briefed him on allegations that some criminal suspects were allegedly being harboured at the Government House.
“He, too, has briefed me. He briefed me that some suspects he is looking for are hibernating in the Government House. I looked at that. If that is true, why should suspects be in the Government House?” Disu said.
He added that he had advised the commissioner on how to handle the allegation lawfully.
“I have told him how to go about it. I have heard that this party and that party are hibernating suspects, criminals,” he said.
Disu did not identify the alleged suspects or provide details of the allegations.
The IGP also appealed to parents to warn their children against being recruited as political thugs, saying the police would deploy more personnel to the state before the election.
“I know that thugs are employed for elections. Osun State should be an exception because we are going to bring in more men,” he said.
“If parents are listening to me, let them warn their children. They shouldn’t allow politicians to use them for elections because it is only those who are alive that can reap the dividends of the election.”
Disu further said he expected improved performance from the state police command, adding that both the Commissioner of Police and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police overseeing the area had been instructed to intensify action against criminal elements.
“I do not want to hear one more complaint against the Commissioner of Police,” he said.
“We’ll go after each and every one who has committed any crime in this state.”
Responding, Governor Adeleke denied shielding criminals and asked security agencies to arrest anyone found to have committed an offence, including members of his family.
“If you see any of my people that committed a crime, arrest them. If it is my son who committed a crime, arrest him, let him learn his lesson, and that is what I am saying in front of the IGP,” Adeleke said.
The governor commended the IGP for visiting the state and for pledging to address indiscipline within the Nigeria Police Force.
He said his administration was ready to cooperate with the police, but urged officers to remain professional, impartial and fair in the discharge of their duties.
“I am glad the Inspector-General of Police is here today, and he has said it openly that he will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, and he has given you a warning that he will not tolerate crime. That is why I am happy,” Adeleke said.
“If you change tomorrow, I will continue to cooperate with the police. Police is our friend. We are not fighting the police, but you have to do right.”
Adeleke, however, accused some police officers of “playing games,” citing the alleged transfer of an officer who arrested a suspect linked to the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu.
“But for you to be playing all these games and everything like that, the person that they killed, a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, because the police officer did a good job under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and arrested the suspect that killed the boy, you transferred the officer,” the governor said.
The development comes amid growing concerns over political tension and violence in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Supporters of the Accord Party, on whose platform Adeleke is seeking re-election, and those of the All Progressives Congress have accused one another of sponsoring violence for political advantage.
Both parties have continued to trade blame over the killings and clashes recorded in the state in recent weeks.
The IGP’s visit is expected to signal stronger police intervention as security agencies move to curb violence and restore confidence ahead of the election.
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