The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, has sent a high-level delegation to Osun State to halt rising political violence ahead of the state’s upcoming governorship election.
On Friday, Deputy Inspector-General Adegoke Fayoade, who oversees the South-West, met with Governor Ademola Adeleke in Osogbo. Fayoade said he was directed by the IGP to investigate recent attacks, restore order, and ensure those responsible are arrested and prosecuted.
“The IGP has instructed the AIG and Commissioner of Police to take charge,” Fayoade said. “No act of brigandage or murder will be tolerated again. We are to restrategize and make sure Osun’s election is as peaceful as Anambra’s and last Saturday’s Ekiti election.”
Fayoade added that he also met with the Ataoja of Osogbo to reassure the monarch that security challenges would be addressed. He said police are working to stop bandits, thugs, and criminals from destabilizing the state.
Governor Adeleke welcomed the police intervention but raised concerns about the conduct of some officers. He alleged that certain policemen are colluding with political thugs and ignoring attacks.
“Your officers are at a time when three political murders remain unresolved — Eluyera in Ikire, Ezekiel in Ilobu, and Aderogba in Esa Oke,” Adeleke said. “Thugs are shooting in towns and destroying billboards, yet no arrests have been made. The Commissioner of Police has failed us.”
The governor urged the IGP and President Bola Tinubu to ensure law enforcement is applied “without fear or favour,” and said his administration still has confidence in federal leadership to keep the state safe.
The meeting comes amid growing tension in Osun, with reports of politically motivated killings and intimidation as the election approaches. The IGP’s directive mandates the Osun Police Command to investigate all reported cases of murder and violence, arrest suspects, and prosecute them under the law.
