Governor Ademola Adeleke has called for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of failing to act on a series of political attacks and killings across the state.
Adeleke made the call on Wednesday during a condolence visit to Esa-Oke, Obokun Local Government Area, following the killing of an Accord Party youth leader, Aderogba, allegedly by political thugs.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, Adeleke expressed concern over what he described as the police command’s failure to arrest suspects linked to violent political incidents in the state.
“The Commissioner of Police has refused to act on several attacks, therefore, I have sent videos and several reports of such frequent gun attacks and killings to the Inspector General of Police. Osun people demand answers,” the governor said.
Adeleke further disclosed that he had reported the situation to the Presidency, alleging that some opposition figures were encouraging political violence ahead of the state’s governorship election.
“I have reached out to the Presidency on the orchestrated violence against my people. Osun APC leaders like Wole Oke, Oyetola, Oyebamiji, etc are breeding thugs that are fomenting violence instead of seeking the votes of the people,” he alleged.
The governor also urged the Inspector General of Police to overhaul the state’s police command structure, insisting that residents were losing confidence in the ability of security agencies to tackle the rising wave of attacks.
“The patience of our people is growing thin. That is why I am once again calling on the Inspector General of Police to reshuffle the Osun police command structure,” Adeleke said.
During the visit, the wife of the deceased, Tolulope Aderogba, alleged that her husband was lured to the scene of the attack and linked the incident to individuals she identified as associates of a federal lawmaker.
She claimed that the attack occurred in her presence and that of her son, adding that her husband died from gunshot and machete wounds before reaching the hospital.
Adeleke, who sympathised with the bereaved family, described the incident as “one killing, too many” and promised state support for the deceased’s children and immediate family.
The governor also appealed for peaceful political campaigns ahead of the August 15 governorship election, while the killing has reportedly been reported at the Esa-Oke Divisional Police Headquarters.
