July 20, (THEWILL) — Two weeks after the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, paid a scheduled visit to Governor Ademola Adeleke and men under his Command in Osun State in the heat of the death of about 30 persons in election-violence, the killings are yet to abate. The violence is said to be election related. The governorship poll in the state came up on August 15, 2026.
The revival of violence in Osogbo, the state capital between Wednesday and Thursday last week was marked with the killing of two persons, said to members of the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC. Gunmen shot them dead in the Owode-Igbona area of the capital city.
The gunmen allegedly attacked a mobilisation meeting held for the APC governorship candidate, Asiwaju Munirudeen Bola Oyebamiji (AMBO), in Osogbo. By Thursday when the smoke from the gun battle cleared, a 70-year old man, identified as Kazeem Akande and one Lekan, were confirmed dead and their remains deposited in the morgue of the Osun State University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo. Many others sustained gunshot wounds, including APC flag bearer in the area, Kehinde Salaudeen, 60; Olalekan Mutiu; and a 13-year-old girl, Rodiyat Ariyo. They are said to be receiving treatment at Osogbo Central Hospital.
19 vehicles and other properties were vandalised at the popular Idisheke market in Osogbo. Although there are conflicting reports on the attack, with some describing it as the outcome of conflict between rival cult, others pointedly said it was politically motivated and planned.
According to a Senior Special Assistant to the President on Protocol, Ambassador Issa Niniola, who condemned the attack and alleged that the violence was politically motivated, the violence has assumed a dimension that the international community may be called to intervene.
He said, “Those released from prison are being armed to unleash violence on our members and create fear among voters. We want the international community to take note of what is happening in Osun. The claim that the victims were cultists is not logical. We urge our members not to be intimidated.”
A former commissioner, Adebayo Adeleke accused Governor Adeleke of harbouring some of the perpetrators in Government House and urged the Inspector-General of Police to intervene urgently.
“This attack was premeditated. The Inspector-General of Police must act decisively because the security situation in Osun is becoming alarming. One of the issues we earlier raised was the alleged use of police uniforms by some Amotekun operatives to perpetrate crimes, but nothing has been done. Survivors told us the attackers wore black uniforms,” he said.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, however denied allegations that his government was support pre-election violence and called for calm, describing the attack as a suspected cult-related killing. His spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, said, “We received with concern reports of the suspected cult killing in Osogbo and call on security agencies to enforce the law by apprehending those responsible. The killing and the subsequent violence are condemnable. The incidents of cult violence in Osogbo must be curtailed immediately to avoid worsening the already delicate security situation following recent political violence in the state.”
Meanwhile, the Osun Police Command confirmed the incidents, saying two suspects had been arrested in connection with one of the attacks, while arms and ammunition were recovered at another scene.
The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said, “Regarding the incident at Egbatedo, one person was killed, several others were injured and two suspects have been arrested. Some names mentioned by witnesses are already on the police watch list, and investigations are ongoing. On the Owode-Igbona incident, no arrest has been made yet, but arms and ammunition were recovered. As of the time I am speaking, I cannot confirm the casualty figure, although several people sustained injuries. Investigation is ongoing.”
THEWILL recalls that the Nigeria Police Force , NPF, recently linked politicians to a wave of violence that has claimed at least 30 lives in Osun State ahead of the upcoming governorship polI. In all, 56 politically related violence were recorded in the state in the last 12 months.
Speaking during a recent programme on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu said investigations were still ongoing but evidence gathered from complaints received by the police pointed to possible political involvement in the killings.
“From the complaints received, we cannot rule out the involvement of some politicians in the killings,” Iniedu said.
He explained that the police had already made a number of arrests in connection with the incidents, adding that some suspects were publicly paraded while others had been arraigned before the courts.
The police spokesman, however, declined to disclose the identities of the suspects, the specific cases under investigation, or the politicians allegedly connected to the violence, saying such details could prejudice ongoing judicial proceedings and amount to trial by media.
According to him, the Force will make the information public after investigations have been concluded and the courts have determined the pending cases.
Responding to allegations that the police were taking sides in the political crisis in Osun State, Iniedu dismissed the claims, insisting that the Force would neither shield criminal suspects nor participate in any cover-up.
He acknowledged that security agencies often become targets of accusations during election periods but stressed that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had given clear operational directives that anyone found involved in election-related violence must be tracked, arrested, and prosecuted.
“It is logical that when an election is approaching, there will be accusing fingers pointed by political gladiators, particularly against the police. But I can assure Nigerians that the Inspector-General has directed that every suspected criminal be tracked, arrested, and prosecuted,” he said.
Iniedu recalled that the IGP recently visited Osogbo to assess the security situation following rising political tension and pre-election violence in the state.
During the visit, he said, the police chief met with Governor Ademola Adeleke, leaders of political parties, and other stakeholders, where allegations and counter-allegations over the violence featured prominently.
According to the Force spokesman, the Inspector-General made it clear that the police would not tolerate killings, political thuggery, or any attempt to undermine law and order before, during, and after the governorship election.
He added that the IGP also appealed to parents and guardians to discourage their children and wards from allowing themselves to be used as political thugs or instruments for settling political scores.
On allegations of partisanship levelled against the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, Iniedu said the Inspector-General had met with the commissioner, issued operational directives, and warned against any conduct capable of eroding public confidence in the Force.
He noted that the IGP’s intervention had already begun yielding positive results, with the deployment of specialised tactical units, drones, and helicopters to enhance surveillance and strengthen security across the state.
The police, he said, have also intensified intelligence gathering in collaboration with other security and intelligence agencies as part of efforts to ensure a peaceful, credible, and violence-free governorship election.
Speaking on the capacity of the Nigeria Police Force, Iniedu disclosed that the organisation currently has more than 400,000 active personnel nationwide, expressing confidence that the Force possesses the manpower and operational capability to secure the Osun governorship poll and other national assignments.
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