OSOGBO – Barely days to the Osun governorship election, the Osun State Police Command has paraded 24 suspected political thugs and cultists arrested over alleged involvement in violence and other criminal activities across the state.
Parading the suspects at the Police Headquarters in Osogbo on Monday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, declared that the Command was leaving no stone unturned in its determination to stamp out cultism, political violence and other crimes capable of threatening a peaceful election.
CP Gotan commended the media and other stakeholders for their continued support in the fight against crime, saying the collaboration had greatly boosted the Command’s operational successes.
He explained that the briefing became necessary to reassure residents of the Command’s sustained efforts to restore peace, particularly following recent cult-related killings and acts of thuggery recorded in parts of the state.
While acknowledging that some of the incidents had been given political interpretations, the police boss insisted that the Command would remain professional, impartial and guided strictly by the rule of law.
According to him, the 24 suspects were arrested during intelligence-led operations targeting cult groups and political thugs across the state, adding that investigations were ongoing to ensure anyone found culpable faces prosecution.
The suspects include Kareem Saheed a.k.a. Tanfiani, Oyeladun Muideen a.k.a. Akilapa (46), Ridwan Adekola (39), Mukaila Azeez a.k.a. Mikki (33), Sunday Friday a.k.a. Akube (26), Olamilekan Fatai (27), Tiamiyu Ismail (26), Famuyiwa Adekunle Toib (30), Ajiboye Toheed (28), Morufu Sodiq (24), Folorunsho Moshood (31), Hassan Sodiq (32), Badiru Saheed (26), Adegoke Olalekan (27), Faruk Olawale (25), Iyanuoluwa Sarumi (30), Afolabi Ahmed (30), Adeshina Lukman (39), Mutiu Opeyemi (32), Olushola Daniel (32), Abiola Olabode (39), Azeez Abiodun (32), Babatunde Kehinde (23) and Dada Mayowa (31).
The Commissioner warned cultists, political thugs and other criminal elements to steer clear of activities capable of disrupting public peace, stressing that anyone caught would face the full weight of the law.
He assured law-abiding residents that the Command would continue to safeguard lives and property before, during and after the election, while urging members of the public to support security agencies with timely and credible information.
CP Gotan reaffirmed the commitment of the Osun State Police Command to professionalism, neutrality and fairness, promising that officers would discharge their constitutional duties without fear or favour.
