Oyetola condemns Osun killings, tasks police, others on security

Adegboyega Oyetola, Nigeria's Minister of Marine and Blue Economy and former governor of Osun State, has strongly condemned the rise in post-election violence and loss of lives in parts of the state. He issued a call to action for the police and other security agencies, urging them to act decisively to restore order and protect residents.

In a statement, Oyetola described the attacks on citizens as a grave assault on the peace, heritage, and democratic values of Osun State. He emphasized that no political or commercial ambition justifies the loss of human lives, urging stakeholders to reject violence and embrace dialogue. "Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed," he stated, while extending condolences to the families of those killed.

The minister specifically charged the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to deploy adequate personnel to volatile areas, reclaim public spaces from hoodlums, and ensure swift apprehension and justice for those responsible for the killings and violence. He appealed to residents across the state to prioritize peace and restraint, warning against sacrificing the state's progress and prosperity for political or commercial interests.

The violence has sparked accusations between political parties. The Osun State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) accused Governor Ademola Adeleke's administration of aiding suspected hoodlums involved in violent attacks in Ikire. The APC claimed the crisis began when suspected hoodlums allegedly working for the Accord Party launched an assault to take over a motor park. Conversely, the Osun State Accord Party Chairman, Victor Akande, condemned the incident and accused the Divisional Police Officer of the Irewole Division of orchestrating the mayhem, alleging the DPO acted unprofessionally by opening fire without provocation.

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Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed.