Governor Adeleke Defies ‘Shielding’ Claims, Challenges Police to Arrest Kin

​OSOGBO – In a tense exchange during a high-level security meeting at the Osun State Government House on Friday, Governor Ademola Adeleke firmly rejected allegations that his administration is providing sanctuary to criminal suspects.

​The confrontation arose during a visit by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who revealed that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had briefed him on intelligence suggesting wanted individuals were “hibernating” within the Government House.

​“He briefed me that some suspects he is looking for are hibernating in the Government House. I looked at that. If that is true, why should suspects be in the Government House?” Disu stated, emphasizing that while he had received complaints regarding the Commissioner’s performance, he also had to address the allegations of state-level interference.

​”Arrest My Son”

​Responding to the IGP’s remarks, Governor Adeleke dismissed the claims as unfounded and accused some elements within the police force of playing political “games.” The Governor issued a bold challenge to the security agencies, inviting them to apprehend anyone found culpable of criminal activities, regardless of their status or relationship to him.

​“If you see any of my people that committed a crime, arrest them. If it is my son who committed a crime, arrest him, let him learn his lesson, and that is what I am saying in front of the IGP,” Adeleke declared.

​The Governor further criticized the police for alleged professional lapses, citing the specific case of an officer who was reportedly transferred after successfully arresting a suspect linked to the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu.

​A State on Edge

​The meeting comes amid a period of heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election. Recent weeks have seen a surge in reports of politically motivated violence, with civil society organizations and various political factions—including the All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party—trading accusations of partisanship and criminality.

​Earlier reports indicate that advocacy groups, including the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and the World Institute for Peace, have previously petitioned the police leadership, raising concerns over alleged partiality and the need for a neutral security presence to ensure a peaceful electoral process.

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​While the IGP promised a thorough investigation into the complaints and warned that political thuggery and the use of unregistered vehicles would no longer be tolerated, Governor Adeleke maintained that his government remains committed to supporting the police, provided they act with neutrality.

​“I am glad the Inspector General of Police is here today, and he has said it openly that he will not tolerate any act of indiscipline. If you change tomorrow, I will continue to cooperate with the police. We are not fighting the police, but you have to do what is right,” the Governor added.