Adeleke, New Osun CP Seek Peace, Reconciliation as Governor Lists Five Demands

 

By Abdulahi Musa 

Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for renewed cooperation between the state government and the police command to restore public confidence, strengthen security and deepen post-election peace and reconciliation in the state.

Adeleke made the call on Monday when the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim D. Zungura, paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Osogbo, as part of activities marking his assumption of office.

The governor, who said Osun had passed through turbulent periods in recent times, expressed concern over what he described as the low level of trust between residents and the police.

He also linked the current security challenges to unresolved post-election tensions, stressing the need for all stakeholders to work towards restoring peace across the state.

Adeleke said, “Post-election peace is yet to be fully restored. A police operation today claimed two lives at Ikire. Your DPO for Ikire was fingered.”

The governor subsequently called for the immediate commencement of disciplinary proceedings against the Divisional Police Officer in Ikire, alleging that the officer had become a threat to the residents he was deployed to protect.

Adeleke said his administration was already pursuing post-election peace and reconciliation initiatives, noting that he had extended an olive branch to political stakeholders across the state.

According to him, Zungura's assumption of office came at a critical period when the relationship between the police and civilians needed urgent rebuilding.

The governor consequently outlined five key requests to the new police commissioner as part of efforts to consolidate peace and strengthen security in Osun.

He urged the police command to deliberately rebuild public trust by addressing practices and conduct that could create perceptions of partisanship or hostility towards citizens.

Adeleke also called for stronger cooperation between the state government and the police command, stressing that his administration was not seeking preferential treatment but fair and impartial policing.

The governor further demanded a reorganisation of the internal operations of the state police command, alleging that some operational units had been compromised.

He said there was a need to review and, where necessary, dissolve operational units whose activities had generated public concerns over alleged political affiliations.

Adeleke's fourth request was the full participation of the police commissioner in the State Security Council meetings, which he said was necessary for effective coordination of security matters.

He alleged that the immediate past police commissioner had not attended a State Security Council meeting since 2024.

The governor's fifth request was for the release of several Accord members he described as political detainees, as well as an end to further arrests of members of the party.

He assured the police command of the state government's willingness to support legitimate police operations, provided such operations were conducted fairly and in accordance with the law.

“Our government is ready to support police operations without any string attached. What we seek is fair policing,” Adeleke said.

Responding, CP Zungura pledged to work with the state government and other stakeholders to promote peace, stability and impartial law enforcement.

The new police chief assured residents that he would strive to restore confidence in the police and address outstanding security concerns.

“I promise to work with the state government for peace and stability of the state. I will be fair to all and I will prove my commitment in the next few weeks. Osun is a peaceful state and we will work to address all outstanding issues,” Zungura said.

The meeting is expected to mark the beginning of a renewed security partnership between the Osun State Government and the police command, with both sides emphasising peace-building, impartial policing and the restoration of public confidence.

The governor's position was contained in a statement issued by his spokesperson, Mallam Olawale Rasheed, on Monday.