IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has ordered the immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, less than three weeks before the state’s August 15 governorship election. The directive, contained in a police wireless signal marked “Most Immediate” and dated July 30, 2026, was circulated to police commands and specialised units nationwide for immediate compliance. The internal police communication stated that Gotan had been posted to the Commissioner of Police, Communications Operations, Force Headquarters, Abuja, on special duty. The signal read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE”. The directive was sent to the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in the various zones, Commissioners of Police nationwide, and other specialised formations for immediate compliance. The development comes amid mounting political tension and security concerns ahead of the governorship election in Osun State, where Governor Ademola Adeleke and the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) have traded accusations over the security situation. Governor Adeleke and his allies had repeatedly called for Gotan’s removal, accusing the police command of partisanship and failing to address rising political violence.

Reacting to the commissioner’s redeployment, Governor Adeleke’s Special Assistant on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, hailed the decision, describing it as a response to public demands. In a post on X, Lawrence wrote: “The Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed. We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied. Congratulations to the good people of Osun State”. The spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation, Pelumi Olajengbesi, also welcomed the development. The redeployment followed Governor Adeleke’s remarks at a Peace Summit on Thursday, where he alleged that there was an “active progression towards genocide” in Osun ahead of the governorship poll. The governor accused the APC and some police personnel of orchestrating violence, intimidation, and politically motivated arrests against members of his party, claiming that the state had been under sustained political tension for the past three months. He warned that the situation could deteriorate further if urgent measures were not taken to guarantee a peaceful and credible election.

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The redeployment comes after months of mounting pressure from political stakeholders who had accused Gotan of partisanship and failure to address rising political violence in the state. The Accord Party had petitioned President Bola Tinubu and the Inspector-General of Police, alleging that about 100 of its leaders, candidates, members, and supporters had been arrested and detained across the state, with some allegedly transferred to Abuja. The party claimed that the police actions were “politically motivated, to frustrate, weaken and dampen” its campaign efforts in Osun State. Accord’s National Chairman, Maxwell Mgbudem, lamented that campaigning for the August 15 poll had become increasingly difficult, alleging that arrests, intimidation, and police actions were replacing the level playing field expected in a democratic contest. The party also cited what it described as the police invasion of the residences of six commissioners and the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, whose home was reportedly raided over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect. The African Action Congress (AAC) had also called for Gotan’s immediate redeployment in July 2026, alleging that the police command had lost the confidence of many residents and that there were plans to destabilise Osun State before the governorship election. The AAC claimed that the state had witnessed an increase in political violence despite the recent visit of IGP Disu, describing the security situation as increasingly volatile.

The tension surrounding Gotan’s leadership was dramatically illustrated at a stakeholders’ meeting on preparations for the August 15 governorship election, where participants openly rejected the Commissioner of Police during his address. The meeting, held in Osogbo, brought together officials of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations, and other election stakeholders. Many participants booed him, shouting derogatory remarks and chanting “Redeploy him! Redeploy him!” while accusing him of failing to discharge his responsibilities impartially. Some of the aggrieved stakeholders alleged that the police boss had displayed what they described as a lukewarm attitude towards cases of alleged killings, assaults, intimidation, and victimisation of residents in different parts of the state. They further accused him of being a biased security officer whose actions had eroded public confidence in the command’s ability to provide equal protection for all political interests.

The redeployment of Gotan is part of a broader shake-up within the Nigeria Police Force. The IGP had earlier approved a major reshuffle involving senior officers, ordering the immediate redeployment of nine Assistant Inspectors-General of Police to strategic commands and formations across the country. The directive, conveyed through a police wireless signal, was addressed to all major police departments, zonal commands, state commands, specialised formations, and training institutions across the country for immediate implementation. Among those affected in the reshuffle were AIG Polycarp Emeka Nwonyi, posted to Zone 9 Command, Umuahia; AIG Obono Nnaghe Itam, redeployed as Commandant, Police Staff College, Jos; and AIG Bassey Samuel Ewa, posted to Zone 15 Command, Maiduguri. Others included AIG Osagie John Agans-Irabor to Zone 3 Command, Yola; AIG Monday Agbonika to Zone 5 Command, Benin; and AIG Daniel Edobor Iyamah as IG, Department of Operations (DOPS), Force Headquarters, Abuja. The Force Headquarters directed all relevant departments responsible for computer records, establishment, and personnel documentation to update official records in line with the new postings.

Meanwhile, hundreds of women from across Osun State staged a peaceful procession to the event venue of the stakeholders’ meeting, calling on political actors, security agencies, and residents to embrace peace before, during, and after the election. Carrying placards with inscriptions such as “Vote, Not Violence”, “Peace is Our Priority”, “No to Political Bloodshed”, and “Our Votes Must Count,” the women appealed to politicians to conduct their campaigns with civility and avoid inflammatory rhetoric capable of provoking unrest. Speaking on behalf of the protesters, the group’s spokesperson, Mrs. Ogunsuada Omoriyeba, said the women were deeply concerned by the rising political tension in the state and insisted that no political ambition was worth the loss of human lives. “We are mothers, wives and daughters, and we have come together to speak with one voice. We reject violence, intimidation, hate speech and every form of acrimony associated with elections. Osun belongs to all of us, and we want an election that will be remembered for peace, not bloodshed,” she said. As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force had not issued an official statement explaining the reason for Gotan’s redeployment or announced his replacement.

IGP Redeploys Osun CP to Force Headquarters Ahead of August 15 Governorship Election

Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process

The Grand Chief Imam of Oyo Land, Fadilat Sheikh (Barrister) Bilal Husayn Akinola Akeugberu, has cautioned social media influencer and blogger, Ifagbemiro Olamigoke Adewola, popularly known as Bennylee, against actions and public statements that could provoke religious tension, promote hatred or threaten peaceful coexistence among people of different faiths.

The warning followed ongoing criminal proceedings involving the social media personality before a Magistrate Court sitting in Ilorin, Kwara State.

In a press statement issued on Wednesday by the Director of Media and Publicity to the Grand Chief Imam, Mallam Ibrahim Agunbiade, the Islamic leader said the matter had been adjourned until August 6, 2026.

The case reportedly arose from a direct criminal complaint involving allegations of incitement, insulting or inciting contempt of a religious creed, defiling a place of worship or an object of religious significance, and injurious falsehood.

The complaint was also said to be connected to an alleged incident involving the placement of traditional sacrificial items, including a calabash containing boiled eggs and palm oil, on the Holy Qur’an.

The Grand Chief Imam, however, said no pronouncement would be made on the merits of the allegations because the matter was already before a court of competent jurisdiction.

He urged all parties and members of the public to respect the judicial process and allow the court to determine the case without interference, pressure or prejudice.

The Islamic leader expressed concern over what he described as the growing use of social media platforms to ridicule religious beliefs, provoke faith-based sentiments and create tension among citizens.

He said freedom of expression was a constitutional right but should be exercised responsibly and within the limits provided by law.

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According to him, freedom of speech should not be used to promote religious hatred, deliberately offend sacred beliefs or encourage actions capable of disrupting public peace.

The Grand Chief Imam also expressed concern over a video in which Bennylee allegedly criticised the practice and discussion of Shari’ah in Yorubaland.

He said some Muslims considered the statements made in the video to be inflammatory, misleading and hostile towards Islam.

The Islamic leader maintained that Shari’ah was an integral aspect of the Islamic faith and that Muslims had the constitutional right to practise their religion and observe its principles within the framework of Nigerian law.

He added that Shari’ah should not be portrayed as an instrument of forced conversion or religious domination.

The Grand Chief Imam warned against the use of misinformation, fear-mongering and inflammatory language to portray Islam or Shari’ah negatively, saying such actions could deepen suspicion, fuel religious intolerance and undermine the peaceful coexistence for which Yorubaland is widely known.

“As a legal practitioner, I wish to remind all Nigerians that the right to freedom of expression carries corresponding responsibilities,” he said.

He noted that publications or conduct capable of inciting religious hatred, provoking public disorder or violating the rights of others could attract legal consequences where offences were established under applicable laws.

The Grand Chief Imam advised Bennylee to reflect on his public engagements and seek accurate knowledge about Islam through dialogue with recognised Islamic scholars.

He said disagreements over religion should be addressed through respectful engagement, mutual understanding and peaceful dialogue rather than hostility or contempt.

The Islamic leader also commended Barrister U.S. Imam and his legal team for pursuing the matter through lawful and constitutional channels.

He said their decision to seek redress through the court demonstrated that grievances arising from alleged religious provocation or desecration should be addressed through legitimate institutions rather than self-help or confrontation.

The Grand Chief Imam urged Muslims across Yorubaland and Nigeria to remain calm, peaceful and law-abiding, regardless of the level of provocation.

He warned against taking the law into their own hands and encouraged members of the Muslim community to pursue justice through lawful means.

He also called on religious leaders, traditional rulers, public officials, content creators and social media influencers to exercise restraint and responsibility in their public statements.

According to him, Nigeria’s unity, peace and stability depend on mutual respect among people of different religious beliefs.

The Grand Chief Imam urged Nigerians to embrace dialogue, tolerance and understanding, stressing that people of different faiths should be able to disagree without hatred and engage one another without contempt.

He prayed for continued peace, harmony, justice and religious tolerance across Yorubaland and Nigeria.

Grand Chief Imam warns Bennylee against religious provocation, urges respect for judicial process

DSS arraigns five suspected Ansaru members over Oyo school abduction, alleged killings

The Department of State Services (DSS) has arraigned five suspected members of the Jama’atu Ansarul Muslimina fi-Biladis Sudan (Ansaru) before the Federal High Court in Abuja over the May 15 abduction of pupils and teachers in Oriire Local Government Area of Oyo State and the alleged killing of two victims.

The five defendants — Mahmud Muhammad, also known as Abu Bara’a and Abbas Mukhtar; Abubakar Abbas, also known as Isah Adam and Mallam Mahmuda Al-Nigeri; Abdulrazak Umar, also known as Abu Khalifa or Abu Khalid; Yunusa Musa, also known as Abu Yunusa Bin Musa; and Shamsu Adamu Sani, also known as Abu Itisar — pleaded not guilty to the charges brought against them.

They are facing a six-count charge bordering on alleged terrorism, conspiracy, aiding terrorist activities and concealing information connected to the attack.

According to the charge marked FHC/ABJ/CR/438/2026, the Federal Government alleged that Muhammad and Abbas directed members of the Ansaru group to carry out kidnappings and killings in different parts of the country if they were arrested.

The prosecution alleged that the planned attacks were intended to pressure the government into meeting demands linked to the defendants’ alleged detention.

The Federal Government further accused the defendants of involvement in the Oriire school abduction, which occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed attackers invaded schools in the affected Oyo community and abducted pupils, teachers and other residents.

The affected schools included Community Grammar School, Baptist Nursery and Primary School, and L.A. Primary School.

The attack raised renewed concerns about school security and the safety of pupils, teachers and communities, particularly in rural areas facing growing security challenges.

The prosecution also alleged that the abduction resulted in the deaths of Michael Oyedokun and Deacon John Olaleye, who were among the victims taken during the attack.

According to the charge, the two victims were allegedly killed while in captivity.

The DSS further accused the defendants of concealing information about the planned attack and failing to disclose intelligence that could have assisted security agencies in preventing or responding to the alleged terrorist operation.

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Umar, Musa and Sani were separately accused of conspiracy and aiding the alleged kidnapping and killings.

Following the defendants’ not-guilty pleas, counsel for the prosecution, Dr Caliatus Eze, asked the court to remand them in the protective custody of the DSS pending trial.

Justice Salim Ibrahim granted the application and ordered that the five defendants remain in DSS custody.

The judge also directed that the defendants be granted unhindered access to their lawyers and two members of their immediate families, while receiving adequate medical care.

Justice Ibrahim subsequently adjourned the case until September 25, 2026, for the commencement of trial.

The Oriire school attack occurred on May 15, 2026, when armed attackers invaded schools in the community and abducted about 46 pupils, teachers and other victims.

The victims spent nearly two months in captivity before security agencies carried out an intelligence-led operation that led to the rescue of most of those abducted.

The rescue operation reportedly involved coordinated efforts by security and intelligence agencies, supported by local security groups and community stakeholders.

The Federal Government has linked the attack to Ansaru, a proscribed terrorist group believed to have ties to Al-Qaeda.

The arraignment followed earlier convictions involving other suspects connected to terrorism-related offences. Earlier in July, a Federal High Court in Abuja sentenced senior Ansaru commanders to life imprisonment after they pleaded guilty to multiple offences, including terrorism financing, kidnapping and related crimes.

Meanwhile, retired and serving staff members of the University of Ibadan (UI) have donated about ₦6 million to rescued pupils and teachers, as well as families who lost relatives during the Oriire school attack.

The donation was presented at the Office of the Inspector-General of Education, Ogbomoso Zone, as part of efforts to support survivors and bereaved families.

Chairman of the University of Ibadan ad hoc committee on support for the rescued victims, Prof Ezekiel Ayoola, said the intervention reflected the academic community’s solidarity with those affected by the attack.

He explained that the funds were raised through voluntary contributions from members of the academic community, including former University of Ibadan Vice-Chancellor Prof Kayode Adebowale, Bowen University Vice-Chancellor Prof Jonathan Babalola, professors and early-career academics.

Ayoola said the donation was intended to complement ongoing rehabilitation efforts and assure the survivors and bereaved families that they had not been forgotten.

He noted that although the victims had regained their freedom, some were still dealing with the psychological and emotional effects of their experiences.

According to him, sustained mental health support, educational assistance and financial intervention would be important in helping the survivors recover and rebuild their lives.

The academic community also commended the Federal Government, Oyo State Government and security agencies for the coordinated operation that led to the rescue of the victims.

The Inspector-General of Education, Ogbomoso Zone, Mr Olubunmi Adisa, described the donation as a significant demonstration of compassion and social responsibility.

The symbolic presentation was made to rescued teachers, pupils and bereaved families by members of the University of Ibadan delegation.

The case remains before the court, and the five defendants are presumed innocent unless proven guilty by a court of competent jurisdiction.

DSS arraigns five suspected Ansaru members over Oyo school abduction, alleged killings