…task CP to flush out suspected political thugs
…Accord, APC trade blame
By Shina Abubakar Osogbo
The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has given express approval to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to go after any criminal irrespective of their hideouts across the state.
Speaking at a stakeholders meeting with political parties, traditional rulers, student groups and others at the police command in Osogbo, he frowned at the shielding of suspected political thugs and criminals by political gladiators in the state.
He said the state is preparing for a governorship election, not war; hence, police will not condone criminality from any quarters, adding that police will up their game to ensure a free, fair and peaceful atmosphere for the election.
His words, “My coming to Osun State is as a result of the coming election and the violence being witnessed. If my count is correct, if the record I have is correct, over 20 people have been killed within a number of months. We are preparing for an election and not a war. I have a lot of reports against this party and that party.
“I have listened to the commissioner of police, who even gave me a brief. He said some people he is looking for are kept in the government house. That is strange to me.
“Luckily for me, I mentioned this in the governor’s office. And the governor replied that even if I found his child committing a crime, I should arrest him. Luckily the commissioner of police was there, and the AIG of the zone and other officers were there.
“Nobody will commit a crime and go scot-free. You can’t kill a person or anybody and think you can walk around freely. That is why I left Abuja to come here and talk with you today. This is an election we are preparing for war. We are going to campaign in an election we hold. We will campaign; we will provide security for you in an election we hold in this state.
“Those who are planning to kill, whether they are here or they are not here, let them know it is not going to be business as usual. Human life is sacred, and nobody has the right to take that life. And those who have committed those other ones we mentioned, anywhere they are, the Commissioner of Police will get them,” he said.
Meanwhile, the Accord party, represented by Mr Bamidele Salaam, and the All Progressives Congress, APC, represented by Mr Adebayo Adeleke, traded blame, accusing one another of being behind the violence in the state.
Adebayo, while presenting records of killed persons from the party to the IGP, said, ‘Known thugs and wanted criminals on the police list are hiding in the government house.’ This emboldened other criminals to go about their activities unchecked.”
Meanwhile, Salaam, in his presentation, said the party will make records available to the IGP but added, “The APC, in its desperate attempt for power, is unleashing violence and killings on the people of the state.”
The Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Akinyooye, who spoke for traditional rulers at the gathering, urged the police to ensure that criminals are prosecuted and punished appropriately to serve as a deterrence to others.
The IGP then pledged to ensure that the state is peaceful before, during and after the election, tasking the commissioner of police, Ibrahim Gotan, to go after criminals no matter where they are hiding.
Mr Disu was accompanied by the AIG SPU, Femi Haruna, the AIG Zone XI, and the Oyo State Police Commissioner.
