The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Tunji Disu, has assured residents of Osun State of adequate security ahead of the August 15 governorship election, warning politicians and their supporters that anyone involved in violence will face the full weight of the law.
The IGP gave the assurance on Thursday during a visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke at the Government House in Osogbo before meeting with representatives of political parties at the Osun State Police Command Headquarters.
Addressing stakeholders, Disu said the police had received numerous reports of politically motivated violence in the state, noting that more than 20 people had reportedly been killed in recent months.
He disclosed that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had briefed him on ongoing investigations, including allegations that some wanted suspects were being protected by influential individuals.
According to the police chief, such allegations would be thoroughly investigated, stressing that no individual, regardless of political affiliation or social status, would be shielded from prosecution.
“If my count is correct, over 20 people have been killed within the last several months. I have reports against different political parties,” Disu said.
He added that he had already discussed one of the allegations with Governor Adeleke after receiving information that some wanted suspects were allegedly being harboured at the Government House.
“The Commissioner of Police informed me that some of the people being sought by the police were allegedly being kept at the Government House. I raised the issue with the governor, and he assured me that if even his own child committed any offence, the police should arrest such a person,” he said.
The IGP said the governor made the commitment in the presence of senior police officers, including the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI and the State Commissioner of Police.
He reiterated that security agencies would ensure that the election remains peaceful, insisting that the exercise was a democratic process and not a battle.
“This is not a war. It is an election. Political parties will campaign, we will provide security, and the election will hold peacefully. Nobody will commit murder or any other crime and walk away freely,” he warned.
Disu also cautioned individuals planning to foment trouble before or during the election to abandon such intentions, emphasising that human life must be respected.
Earlier, Governor Adeleke dismissed allegations that his administration was shielding criminal suspects, insisting that anyone found violating the law should be arrested irrespective of personal relationships.
“If you see any of my people committing any crime, arrest them. These allegations are false. Even if it is my son involved in any criminal act, arrest him. That is why I am saying this publicly,” the governor stated.
Adeleke, however, alleged that there were intelligence reports indicating plans by opposition elements to orchestrate violence in the coming weeks to create fear among voters.
“I have security reports that within two weeks, the APC will begin shooting again to intimidate people. But I am happy the IGP has assured us of a violence-free election. My administration will continue to cooperate fully with the police,” he said.
During the stakeholders’ meeting, representatives of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused the state government of protecting political thugs.
Speaking for the party, former Commissioner for Local Government, Adebayo Adeleke, alleged that the governor had used his office to shield suspected criminals and had influenced the redeployment of police commissioners who refused to cooperate with his administration.
He further accused members of the state security outfit, Amotekun, of participating in politically motivated attacks against APC supporters, claiming that several incidents remained unresolved.
The APC representative also presented photographs, which he described as evidence of party members allegedly killed in politically related violence.
Responding on behalf of the Accord party, Bamidele Salam rejected the APC’s allegations, insisting that the opposition party was responsible for most of the violent incidents recorded across the state.
Salam alleged that APC members attacked supporters of his party in several communities, including Akoda, Owode-Ede and Ikire, leading to deaths and injuries.
He further claimed that a youth leader and other party supporters had been killed in separate incidents allegedly linked to APC members, adding that documentary evidence would be submitted to the police.
Despite the accusations exchanged among political parties, the IGP maintained that security agencies would remain impartial and ensure that every legitimate complaint was investigated while guaranteeing a peaceful, free and credible governorship election in Osun State.
