(Osun Map. Photo Credit; Daily Trust)
An Abuja-based lawyer, Pelumi Olajengbesi, has appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to intervene in the ongoing k!llings in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Olajengbesi made the appeal on Thursday after submitting a petition to the police boss at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, calling on him to deploy tactical forces to the state and bring an end to what he described as unprovoked k!llings of innocent people.
At least five residents of the state, including a 14-year-old boy, have reportedly lost their lives amid political campaigns by major parties ahead of the governorship poll.
The development has sparked heated controversy between the ruling Accord Party and the main opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.
Speaking to journalists after the submission, Olajengbesi said the k!llings posed an enormous threat to public safety, democratic governance, and the credibility of the upcoming election.
He drew the IG’s attention to a pattern of election-related violence that had resulted in the loss of innocent lives, injuries to several citizens, destruction of property, and widespread fear across communities in the state.
The lawyer also accused the Osun State Police Command of complacency in handling the situation despite several reports lodged with the command, and demanded the immediate redeployment of the state’s Commissioner of Police.
Among his key demands were a comprehensive investigation into every incident of political violence, the arrest and prosecution of all individuals found to have participated in, sponsored, or facilitated such acts regardless of political affiliation, the deployment of additional tactical and conventional police personnel to identified flashpoints, and a thorough review of the security architecture in the state to guarantee peaceful elections.
“Appropriate directives to all police formations within Osun State to enforce the law impartially and without fear or favour throughout the electoral period,” he added.
