CSOs protest, demand redeployment of Osun police commissioner

By Deborah Oladejo, Osogbo —

The Network of Osun Civil Society Groups on Monday called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, citing worsening insecurity, rising political tension, and growing public distrust ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The demand was made during a peaceful protest in Osogbo, where members of the group marched from Freedom Park to Olaiya, carrying placards and chanting solidarity songs while calling for urgent intervention by police authorities.

Speaking during the protest, the group’s Secretary, Raufu Sodiq, popularly known as Oluomo Success, said residents had lost confidence in the police command, alleging that recent incidents of political violence had not been properly addressed.

“Osun State is tired. We are known as the people of Omoluabi, but we are tired of someone who is partisan. Some days ago, there was a shooting, and the commissioner of police has not made a single arrest. We don’t want him again,” he said.

Also speaking, the Executive Director of Social Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA), Olowu Emmanuel, backed the call for Gotan’s redeployment, alleging that no arrests or prosecutions had followed incidents of political violence and vandalisation recorded in recent months.

In a statement, the group cited several security incidents across the state, including the destruction of political billboards in multiple local government areas, the killing of Kolade Eluyera in Ikire, attacks on party secretariats and campaign offices, and shooting incidents in Osogbo that reportedly left several people injured.

The group expressed concern that the prevailing atmosphere of fear could discourage voters from participating in the election, leading to low turnout and the disenfranchisement of eligible voters due to concerns about their safety and the perceived neutrality of security agencies.

Consequently, the civil society groups urged the IGP Tunji to redeploy CP Gotan and appoint a replacement capable of restoring public confidence and assuring residents of the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force ahead of the governorship poll.