Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence

Osun Police PRO DSP Abiodun Ojelabi

Osun 2026: Police declare ‘Emir,’ four others wanted over alleged political violence

The Osun State Police Command has declared five suspected political thugs wanted over their alleged involvement in a series of violent attacks across the state, as security agencies intensify efforts to prevent a breakdown of law and order ahead of the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The move comes amid growing concerns over escalating political violence in several communities, where recent clashes have resulted in deaths, injuries and widespread tension.

In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command identified the wanted suspects as Dauda Olamilekan, popularly known as Emir, Taoreed (alias Small Rugged), Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde, Saka Afees (alias Terror) and Adeyemi Saheed.

According to the police, the declaration followed weeks of intelligence gathering and investigations into violent incidents allegedly linked to political thuggery in different parts of the state.

The command alleged that the suspects are among the principal actors responsible for the recent wave of killings, assaults, intimidation and other criminal activities that have heightened political tension ahead of the governorship poll.

The command wants to declare the suspects wanted for various offences after an in-depth intelligence-led investigation identified them as key figures behind the increasing spate of political violence and thuggery in the state.

The police appealed to members of the public, community leaders and the media to assist security agencies with credible information that could lead to the arrest of the suspects.

It also urged the wanted individuals to surrender themselves at the Osun State Police Command, warning that officers have already commenced efforts to track them down and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

NURTW crisis adds fresh security concerns

Meanwhile, the security situation has been further complicated by the leadership crisis rocking the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun State.

The National Executive Council of the NURTW has rejected the Osun State Government’s directive suspending the union’s activities across motor parks, insisting that the state government lacks the constitutional authority to halt the operations of the union.

The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun pending the resolution of the leadership dispute.

The committee is chaired by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba, with Sunday Oludare serving as secretary, Lukman Ahmed as treasurer, while Ismaila Abdurahim, Adebayo Tajudin, Tajudin Akin and Ayinde Mutiu will serve as members.

The development followed the Osun State Government’s suspension of NURTW activities in motor parks after violent clashes between rival factions disrupted commercial activities and raised fresh security concerns.

The state government also ordered an immediate halt to the collection of levies in motor parks and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading himself as a union executive in defiance of the directive.

The crisis escalated after supporters of rival factions clashed in Osogbo, with reports of gunfire triggering panic among residents and businesses.

Reacting to the suspension, NURTW National President Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as MC Oluomo, through the union’s Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, maintained that no state government has the legal authority to suspend the activities of the union because it was established under Nigerian law.

Ore explained that the inauguration of the caretaker committee became necessary because the Osun chapter had operated without effective leadership for several months.

He also disclosed that the union has an existing Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for the transportation of election materials, making it essential to maintain a functional leadership structure ahead of the governorship election.

According to him, the caretaker committee will administer the affairs of the union until all pending leadership disputes are resolved.

Accepting the appointment, caretaker committee chairman Kazeem Oyewale pledged to reposition the union and ensure strict compliance with both the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and the NURTW Constitution.

As preparations for the 2026 Osun governorship election gather pace, security agencies have reiterated their commitment to maintaining law and order, warning political parties, supporters and interest groups against any action capable of undermining peace.

The police stressed that ongoing investigations into recent attacks remain active and urged residents to provide timely and credible information that could assist in preventing further violence and ensuring that those responsible are brought before the courts.