The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to investigate an alleged directive by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Gotan, ordering officers to “shoot-at-sight” anyone found within Local Government Council premises. Egbedun described the alleged……
The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, to investigate an alleged directive by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Gotan, ordering officers to “shoot-at-sight” anyone found within Local Government Council premises.
Egbedun described the alleged directive as alarming and unacceptable in a democratic society, stressing that political disagreements should not result in the loss of innocent lives.
The Speaker made the call in a statement shared on his X handle on Tuesday, August 18, 2026.
....: Osun 2026: Adeleke Denies Electoral Deal With ADC, Credits God, Voters for Victory
According to him, Osun State has a reputation for peace and must not be turned into a centre of violence because of political disagreements.
“Osun State is historically known as a peaceful state. We cannot allow our state to become a theatre of bloodshed because of political disagreements,” Egbedun said.
He maintained that the primary responsibility of the police was to protect lives and property rather than endanger citizens.
“The police are established to protect lives and property, not to take lives. Any directive that encourages officers to shoot citizens without due process is a grave threat to democracy and the rule of law,” he added.
Egbedun recalled previous allegations about the existence of a “killer squad” within the police establishment, noting that the Inspector-General of Police had subsequently denied the allegation.
He, however, said reports of alleged forceful invasions of homes, arbitrary arrests and shootings by security personnel in the state required urgent investigation.
The Speaker also questioned the alleged use of police personnel to protect APC thugs and intimidate citizens, particularly in the period leading to the 2026 Osun governorship election.
“The Nigeria Police Force must not become an instrument for political intimidation. Police officers must serve the Constitution and the Nigerian people, not political interests,” he said.
Egbedun said even where there were genuine security concerns at Local Government Council premises, police officers must operate within the confines of the law.
“If there are genuine security concerns at any Local Government Council, the police must act within the law. There is no circumstance in which an innocent citizen should be summarily executed simply for being present at a public institution,” he added.
The Speaker called on the IGP to immediately investigate the alleged order attributed to CP Gotan and publicly clarify the operational directives issued to police formations across Osun State.
He also urged citizens, civil society organisations, the media and human rights groups to remain vigilant and document alleged violations of citizens’ rights.
“Let me be absolutely clear: Osun people must not be killed,” Egbedun warned.
“If any Osun citizen loses his or her life as a result of an unlawful police action or an alleged shoot-at-sight order, I will personally pursue every lawful avenue available to me to demand accountability, including appropriate international human-rights mechanisms where necessary. Those responsible must answer for their actions, regardless of their position,” he said.
Egbedun further called on the police leadership to de-escalate tensions, respect due process and ensure that all police operations in the state comply with the Constitution and existing laws.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Osun State House of Assembly to protecting democracy, human rights and the rule of law, stressing that “no political contest is worth the life of a single Osun citizen.”
