Adeleke meets new Osun police chief, demands detainees’ release

The Osun State Government has formally received the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, with Governor Ademola Adeleke charging him to reform the state police command and ensure the release of persons he described as political detainees.

Zungura assumed duty in the state on Monday and visited Governor Adeleke alongside senior officers of the command.

During the meeting, the new police commissioner pledged to work with the state government to promote peace, strengthen stability and restore public confidence in the police.

The meeting came amid strained relations between the Adeleke administration and the police, particularly in the period before and after the August 15 governorship election.

Governor Adeleke’s call for the release of alleged political detainees formed part of his demands as the new police leadership begins work in the state.

Speaking at the meeting, Zungura assured the governor that his administration of the command would be impartial and focused on resolving security challenges across the state.

“I promise to work with the state government for peace and stability of the state. I will be fair to all, and I will prove my commitment in the next few weeks. Osun is a peaceful state, and we will work to address all outstanding issues,” he said.

Adeleke, however, said peace had not been completely restored following the election and tasked the new police commissioner with rebuilding public confidence in the command.

The governor cited a recent police operation in Ikire, where two people were reportedly killed, and alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been implicated.

“Based on all details of the attacks, I request immediate commencement of disciplinary action against the DPO. He has become a threat to the people he was posted to protect,” Adeleke said.

The governor presented five key demands which he said were necessary to restore peace and normalcy to Osun’s political environment.

His first demand was for the new CP to rebuild public confidence by ensuring that police officers discharge their duties professionally, impartially and with greater consideration for the public.

Adeleke also called for stronger collaboration between the state government and the police command, maintaining that his administration was asking for “no favour other than fair policing.”

He further urged Zungura to overhaul the command’s internal operations and tackle units he alleged had either been compromised or developed a reputation for political bias.

“I know you will be worried that Osun people see certain police units as the home base of APC thugs. There is a need to dissolve many police operational units because they have been compromised,” he said.

The governor also demanded that the police fully participate in meetings of the State Security Council, claiming that the former commissioner was last present at one of the meetings in 2024.

Adeleke’s final demand was the release of members of the Accord Party whom he identified as political detainees, alongside an end to what he described as politically motivated arrests of the party’s members.

“I also call for the release of several Accord members arrested and indeterminate as political detainees. Further arrests of our members should also stop,” Adeleke said.

The governor assured the new police leadership of his administration’s willingness to assist the command, but stressed that government support would not come with political conditions.

“Our government is ready to support police operations without any strings attached. What we seek is fair policing,” he said.

Zungura’s deployment to Osun followed the transfer of the state’s former substantive Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, amid questions surrounding the neutrality of the command in the run-up to the governorship election.

Adeleke, who won a second term in the August 15 poll, said his administration was ready to extend an olive branch to all parties and stakeholders in the state.

“Osun deserves peace. Osun deserves justice. Osun deserves a police command that enjoys the confidence of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” he said.

“Let us work together to heal our state, rebuild trust and give peace a permanent home in Osun.

Follow Very Nigerian WhatsApp Channel
For Verified Breaking News, Exclusive Reports, Trending Stories, And Real-time Updates.
CLICk HERE TO JOIN!