The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun on Tuesday condemned the rising cases of political violence in the state, accusing the police of compromise ahead of the Aug. 15 governorship election.
The groups, at a news conference in Osogbo, alleged that the Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Gotan, had allowed political violence to go unchecked, the allegations he has denied
Speaking on behalf of the groups, Mr Demola Yaya of the Citizenship and Citizen Awareness Center recalled that they staged a protest on June 15, calling for the redeployment of the CP over alleged bias, adding that the demand still subsists.
He alleged that the state’s policing architecture had been compromised.
“Following the protest on June 15, we did not stop expressing our concerns on the streets.
“We formally submitted a detailed petition to the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the Police Service Commission and other relevant national institutions.
“We outlined the reasons behind our call for the redeployment of the CP and restructuring of the police command in Osun,” he said.
Yaya said that despite these steps, political tension in the state had continued to increase, with reported cases of violence, killings, intimidation and attacks on political actors and innocent citizens.
“Several incidents of broad daylight shootings, violent attacks and politically motivated disturbances have occurred across the state.
“Yet many of the individuals fingered in these incidents remain untouched by law enforcement.
“At the same time, citizens continue to raise serious concerns about selective policing, selective arrests and the reluctance of the police command to pursue certain individuals whose activities are widely known to the public,” he said.
He added that there was growing concern that the CP and some senior officers had adopted a partisan posture, appearing to favor certain political interests while applying different standards to others.
Yaya said these concerns formed the basis of the groups’ demand for a comprehensive review and restructuring of the police command in Osun, including the redeployment of the CP.
He further expressed concern over persistent allegations surrounding the operations of certain units and officers within the command, including claims that some were shielding known political thugs.
The group also called on Gov. Ademola Adeleke, as the Chief Security Officer of the state, to take all necessary lawful steps to safeguard the lives and property of residents, while engaging relevant federal authorities where necessary.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police said the allegations of bias in handling politically related violence, leveled against him by the groups, were untrue.
Gotan had earlier responded to the allegations at a separate news conference, saying his conscience was clear.
The CP stated that he had made significant efforts in crime-fighting during his one year in the state.
He acknowledged calls by some individuals for his redeployment, describing it as their fundamental right, but maintained that his achievements would speak for him.
“Let me make it clear that during my one-year tenure, the command under my watch has reduced cases of serious crimes such as banditry, terrorism, cultism and other social vices.
“Suspected kidnappers, armed robbery suspects, cultists and vehicle-snatching syndicates have been arrested and prosecuted, with a sizeable number of arms and ammunition recovered,” he said.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that there have been protests and counter-protests over the redeployment of the commissioner amid concerns about political violence in the state.
SOURCE: NAN
