The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has told Governor Ademola Adeleke that he had reports he is hiding criminals in the Osun State Government House.
IGP Disu said this during a meeting with Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, on Friday.
Addressing the governor, the IGP said he had received complaints that Adeleke and some others were dissatisfied with the performance of the Commissioner, Osun State Police Command, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
He said: “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.”
The IGP, however, said the Commissioner of Police had also briefed him on allegations that some suspects wanted by the police were taking refuge in the Government House.
Disu said: “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 added that he had advised the Commissioner on how to handle the matter.
He said: “I have told him how to go about it.
“I have heard that this party and that party are hibernating suspected criminals.”
The IGP also raised concerns that the CP informed him that some political parties are shielding criminals ahead of the forthcoming gubernatorial election.
“I have heard that this party and that party are hibernating suspect criminals,” he stated.
Responding, Governor Adeleke insisted that no individual should receive protection from the law, regardless of any relationship with him or his administration.
He said: “If you see any of my people committing crime, arrest them.
“All these lies, I don’t play that.
“If it is my son that committed a crime, arrest him.
“And that is what I am saying in front of the Inspector General of Police.”
Adeleke criticised what he described as political gamesmanship surrounding security matters, stressing the need for law enforcement agencies to focus on bringing perpetrators of violence to justice.
He added: “But for you to be playing all these games and everything like that.
“The person that has been killed, a 40-year-old born in Ilobu….”
The governor also revealed that security intelligence available to his administration suggested that some individuals were planning to resume violent attacks within the next two weeks with the aim of creating fear among residents.
Adeleke said: “I have a security report that in two weeks time, they will start shooting again.
“So that people can be scared.
“And I am glad the Inspector General of Police is here today and he has said it openly, he would not tolerate any act of indiscipline, and he has given an order that you won’t tolerate, that is why I am happy.”
He expressed confidence that the visit of the IGP and the directives issued during the meeting would strengthen ongoing efforts to maintain peace, prevent further violence, and ensure that criminal elements operating in the state are brought to justice.
It could be recalled that Governor Adeleke had accused the state Commissioner of Police of lacking the capacity and willingness to carry out his duties impartially, calling on the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to immediately redeploy him ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.
