44 Violent Incidents, 13 Deaths: Adeleke Demands Osun CP’s Removal Ahead of August Poll

44 Violent Incidents, 13 Deaths: Adeleke Demands Osun CP’s Removal Ahead of August Poll

• Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the immediate redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ahead of the August 15 governorship election, citing concerns over alleged bias and lack of neutrality in the discharge of his duties .

The governor made the demand amid rising political tension and growing concerns over security in the state following recent cases of political unrest and violence. Adeleke raised the issue on Friday while receiving a delegation from the Nigeria Police Force sent by the Inspector-General of Police to assess the security situation in Osun .

In a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the governor expressed strong dissatisfaction with the conduct of the state police command, insisting that urgent changes were necessary to restore public trust and ensure a peaceful electoral process . According to Adeleke, the current police leadership in Osun has failed to inspire confidence among residents and political stakeholders. “The Commissioner of Police has demonstrated lack of willingness and capacity to act fairly and without partisan bias,” Adeleke said .

The governor stated that many residents across the state no longer trust the commissioner to oversee security operations in a fair and professional manner, especially as the election draws closer. He argued that impartial policing remains critical to maintaining peace and preventing violence during the election period . “The general consensus among Osun people is that the Commissioner of Police is compromised and should be moved out of the state. Osun seeks fair policing, impartial policing and policing based on respect for rule of law. We are not asking for any favour other than fair protection of lives and properties,” he said .

Adeleke further alleged that the Commissioner of Police had refused to act on repeated reports of attacks, which contributed to the killing of an Accord Party youth leader, Aderogba, in Esa-Oke . The governor disclosed that he had escalated the matter to the Inspector General of Police and reached out to the Presidency over what he described as orchestrated political violence in the state . “I have sent videos and several reports of such frequent gun attacks and killings to the Inspector General of Police. Osun people demand answers,” Adeleke said .

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The governor’s call comes amid a surge in politically motivated violent attacks across Osun State. Fatal attacks have been recorded in Osogbo, Ede, Esa-Oke, Ilobu, Ile-Ife, and other towns . A particularly tragic incident involved the killing of a 14-year-old boy, Ezekiel Olapade, who was reportedly shot dead on Sunday, June 21, 2026, at Ilobu Community in Irepodun Local Government Area . According to the Accord Party, political thugs associated with APC shot sporadically around the council secretariat when they sighted an Accord member wearing a party cap, killing the boy while he attempted to rescue his mother who fell into a ditch as they tried to escape the bullets .

The Kimpact Development Initiative (KDI), a civil society organisation, disclosed that its pre-election observation and violence-monitoring activities recorded 44 election-related violent incidents across Osun State between October 2025 and June 2026, resulting in 13 fatalities, several injuries, and the destruction of property . According to the organisation, more than half of the incidents were recorded within the last two months, with 26 of the 44 verified incidents occurring in May and June 2026 alone, representing 59.1 per cent of all verified election-related violence . KDI identified Osogbo Local Government Area, particularly Olaiya, Oke Fia, and Aregbe, as locations recording a high concentration of election-related violence . The group noted that the concentration of incidents so close to the election date should be treated as an early warning signal requiring immediate preventive measures from political actors, security agencies and electoral stakeholders .

The Accord Party has formally demanded the immediate removal of the Commissioner of Police, stating that it has lost confidence in the ability and capacity of the CP to curb violence and politically motivated killings . The party said it has reported attacks to the police and the Department of State Services, but “sadly no arrest has been made let alone prosecuting these criminal elements terrorising the good people of Osun State” . “Our hearts still bleed over the gruesome killing of a 14-year-old boy identified as Ezekiel Olapade who was shot dead on Sunday, 21st June 2026… The Inspector General of Police should as a matter of urgency transfer the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, for his inability to dispassionately discharge his duties of safeguarding lives and property in the state, and apprehending the known APC thugs perpetrating violence to face the full weight of the law,” the party stated .

A coalition operating under the Network of Osun Civil Society Groups has also urged the Inspector-General of Police to take immediate action, citing concerns over alleged partisanship and unprofessional conduct within the state police command . The group warned that public confidence in the neutrality of security agencies is gradually weakening as the election approaches .

However, other civil society groups have passed a vote of confidence on the Commissioner of Police, passing blame on Adeleke over insecurity in the state . The World Institute for Peace, in collaboration with the Osun Youth and Student Coalition Network and the Initiative for Local Government Development, staged a protest in Osogbo, arguing that allegations of partisanship against Gotan were politically motivated . “We are here to tell the Inspector-General of Police that CP Ibrahim Gotan is doing well in terms of security in the state. We also want to advise the state government to exclude the Commissioner of Police from everything that has to do with politics,” said Lamina Omotoyosi, Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace . A representative of the students, Jelili Olaniyi, added that there was no justification for any move to redeploy the police commissioner, stating that Gotan had been tackling insecurity and political thuggery effectively .

Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan has called on political parties, candidates and other stakeholders to conduct themselves peacefully ahead of the governorship election . Speaking during an interactive session with stakeholders at the State Police Headquarters in Osogbo on Wednesday, CP Gotan said all political actors must work collectively to ensure a peaceful, credible and violence-free electoral process . The police commissioner urged political parties and candidates to notify the police and other relevant security agencies before organising rallies, campaigns, processions or political gatherings across the state . According to him, early notification would enable security agencies to deploy personnel effectively, provide adequate security coverage, manage traffic and prevent clashes during political activities . “Security agencies can only plan effectively when they are informed in good time,” the CP said, stressing the importance of cooperation between political actors and law enforcement agencies . Gotan also condemned the destruction, defacement and removal of opponents’ billboards, banners, posters and other campaign materials, describing such actions as unlawful and capable of provoking retaliation and political tension . He warned against thuggery, gangsterism and the recruitment or sponsorship of political thugs, saying violence and intimidation have no place in a democratic society .

Fresh concerns emerged after two major political parties, the All Progressives Congress and Accord Party, failed to attend a peace meeting organised by the Osun State Police Command in Osogbo . The meeting, held on Wednesday, was part of efforts by security agencies and electoral stakeholders to prevent violence and ensure a peaceful electoral process . The absence of both APC and Accord became the major talking point at the gathering, with several participants expressing worry over what it could mean for the peace process . Adewale Adebayo, governorship candidate of the Allied Peoples Movement, described the development as disturbing . “It is scary that the two political parties that have been fingered at one point or another for killing, maiming, and harassing each other’s supporters are not here. They need to be here to agree to the terms of peace,” Adebayo said .

The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Osun State Council, has condemned the rising wave of political violence, warning that the trend poses a serious threat to peace, public safety, and the democratic process . The union cited the KDI report recording 44 election-related violent incidents and 13 deaths, describing the figures as alarming and requiring immediate intervention by all stakeholders . “The figures should serve as a wake-up call to all stakeholders. No political ambition is worth the loss of human lives,” the union stated . The NUJ called on security agencies to intensify efforts to prevent further violence, maintain professionalism and impartiality, and ensure that those responsible for violent acts are brought to justice regardless of their political affiliations .

44 Violent Incidents, 13 Deaths: Adeleke Demands Osun CP’s Removal Ahead of August Poll