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Osun 2026: IGP Condemns Shielding of Criminals, Orders Crackdown
🇳🇬 Nigeria /Crime & Justice

Osun 2026: IGP Condemns Shielding of Criminals, Orders Crackdown

From Vanguard · () English

Translated from English, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Named sources Ongoing story
  • The Inspector General of Police ordered the Osun State Commissioner to pursue criminals regardless of their location.
  • The IGP condemned political figures for shielding suspected thugs and criminals ahead of the governorship election.
  • Both the Accord and APC parties accused each other of instigating violence in the state.

The Inspector General of Police, Tunji Disu, has issued a stern directive to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to apprehend any criminal, no matter their hiding place. This command came during a stakeholders' meeting in Osogbo, where Disu expressed strong disapproval of political leaders shielding suspected thugs and criminals.

My coming to Osun State is as a result of the coming election and the violence being witnessed. If my count is correct, if the record I have is correct, over 20 people have been killed within a number of months. We are preparing for an election and not a war.

— Inspector General of Police, Tunji DisuAddressing stakeholders about the security situation ahead of the Osun governorship election.

Disu emphasized that Osun State is preparing for a governorship election, not a conflict, and vowed that the police would not tolerate criminality from any faction. He stated that the police are intensifying their efforts to ensure a free, fair, and peaceful electoral process. "Nobody will commit a crime and go scot-free. You can’t kill a person or anybody and think you can walk around freely," Disu declared, warning that it would not be "business as usual" for those planning violence.

I have listened to the commissioner of police, who even gave me a brief. He said some people he is looking for are kept in the government house. That is strange to me.

— Inspector General of Police, Tunji DisuReacting to reports of criminals being harbored in the government house.

The meeting, attended by representatives of political parties, traditional rulers, and student groups, also saw the Accord party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) trading accusations. The Accord party, through its representative Mr. Bamidele Salaam, alleged that the APC was responsible for the violence and killings. Conversely, the APC, represented by Mr. Adebayo Adeleke, presented records of deceased individuals from their party and accused opponents of harboring wanted criminals within the government house. The Olufon of Ifon-Orolu, Oba Peter Akinyooye, spoke on behalf of the traditional rulers.

Nobody will commit a crime and go scot-free. You can’t kill a person or anybody and think you can walk around freely.

— Inspector General of Police, Tunji DisuReiterating the police's commitment to ensuring accountability for criminal acts.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by Vanguard in English. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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