Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has demanded reforms in the state police command and called for the release of persons he described as political detainees, as the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, assumed duty.
Zungura, who resumed on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to the governor alongside senior officers of the command, where he pledged to work with the state government to restore peace and rebuild public confidence in the police.
The meeting came amid strained relations between the state government and the police command during the build-up to and aftermath of the August 15 governorship election.
According to a statement issued by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, the new CP assured the governor of his commitment to impartial policing and addressing security challenges in 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,” Zungura said.
Adeleke, while receiving the police commissioner, said post-election peace had not been fully restored in Osun and urged the new police leadership to take urgent steps to rebuild trust between residents and security agencies.
The governor also raised concerns over a recent police operation in Ikire, where two persons were reportedly killed, alleging 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 outlined five key demands which he said were necessary to restore peace and improve security in the state.
Adeleke urged the new CP to rebuild public confidence in the police by ensuring that officers operate professionally, impartially and in a manner that prioritises the interests of citizens.
He also called for stronger cooperation between the state government and the police command, stressing that his administration was only seeking fairness in policing.
“We seek no favour other than fair policing,” the governor said.
Adeleke further demanded a restructuring of the command’s internal operations, alleging that some police units had been compromised and accused of partisan activities.
“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 stated.
The governor also requested the full participation of the police command in State Security Council meetings, alleging that the immediate past commissioner last attended such a meeting in 2024.
He equally appealed for the release of members of the Accord Party whom he described as political detainees, while calling for an end to further arrests of party members on political grounds.
“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 police command of his administration’s support but stressed that such assistance would not be tied to political interests.
“Our government is ready to support police operations without any strings attached. What we seek is fair policing,” he added.
Zungura’s deployment followed the transfer of the former substantive Commissioner of Police in Osun, Ibrahim Gotan, amid concerns over the neutrality of the command ahead of the governorship election.
Adeleke, who won a second term in the August 15 governorship election, said his administration was extending an olive branch to all 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,” the governor said.
“Let us work together to heal our state, rebuild trust and give peace a permanent home in Osun.”
