CSOs demand redeployment of Osun police commissioner over security concerns

By Sunday Oguntuyi, Osogbo

A coalition of civil society organisations under the aegis of the Network of Osun Civil Society Groups on Monday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo, calling for the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, over alleged bias and growing security concerns ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The protesters marched from Freedom Park to Olaiya Junction, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs as they appealed to the Inspector-General of Police to intervene in what they described as a deteriorating security situation in the state.

Speaking during the protest, the Secretary of the coalition, Raufu Sodiq, popularly known as Oluomo Success, said many residents had lost confidence in the state police command, alleging that recent incidents of political violence had not been adequately investigated.

According to him, Osun’s longstanding reputation as a peaceful state is being threatened by what he described as partisan conduct within the security architecture.

“Osun State is tired. We are known as the people of Omoluabi, but we are tired of someone who is partisan. We are not supporting any political party. Some days ago, there was a shooting, and the Commissioner of Police has not made a single arrest. We don’t want him again,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of the Social Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA), Comrade Olowu Emmanuel, urged the Inspector-General of Police to redeploy the commissioner, insisting that the current leadership of the command had failed to inspire public confidence.

He expressed concern over repeated incidents of political violence and the destruction of campaign materials across the state, noting that no arrests or prosecutions had been recorded in connection with the incidents.

“In the past two months, there has been a political crisis, and even billboards belonging to political parties have been vandalised by political actors, yet no suspects have been arrested, charged to court or publicly identified,” he said.

Olowu warned that the situation could discourage voter participation during the forthcoming governorship election if urgent steps were not taken to restore confidence in the electoral environment.

“If we do not act very fast, there will be voter apathy on election day, which could disenfranchise many citizens. We want someone who will be impartial and inspire confidence among all stakeholders. The Commissioner of Police should be transferred to another state,” he added.

In an earlier statement, the coalition cited several security incidents across the state, including the vandalisation of political billboards in Irewole, Ayedaade, Ife, Irepodun, Oriade and Osogbo local government areas between May 8 and 9, 2026.

The group also referenced the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Ikire on May 9, 2026, as well as reported attacks on political party secretariats and campaign offices in Osogbo.

Additionally, the coalition pointed to shooting incidents reported on June 9, 2026, which allegedly left several persons injured, describing the events as evidence of a growing climate of insecurity in the state.

The Network of Osun Civil Society Groups stressed that its call for the redeployment of the police commissioner should not be interpreted as a declaration of guilt but rather as a precautionary measure aimed at restoring public trust and ensuring a peaceful electoral process.

The coalition urged security agencies to intensify investigations into all cases of political violence and bring perpetrators to justice, regardless of their political affiliations. It also called on electoral and civic institutions to strengthen voter confidence and safeguard the integrity of the forthcoming governorship election.