Protesters Demonstrate In Osun, Seek Deployment Of Police Commissioner

Following high rate of politically motivated violence and attacks in Osun State, civil society groups, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) and other stakeholders have called on the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu to immediately remove the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan for allegedly failing to make any arrest or curtail the attacks.

The CSOs and other bodies under the umbrella, Network of Civil Society Groups, on Monday, embarked on peaceful protest in Osogbo, raising concerns over alleged partiality and partisanship posture of Gotan amid the escalating political tension.

After converging at the Freedom Park arena, the demonstrators, armed with big banners and placards, moved round major locations in the state capital including Old Garage, Oke-Fia and Olaiya, expressing concerns over worsening security situation and “the growing public distrust in the neutrality of the Nigeria Police Force in Osun State as the State approaches the Governorship Election scheduled for 15th August 2026.”

Some of the inscriptions on the displayed banners and placards read, “Protest Against Insecurity and Police Partiality in Osun,” “Ibrahim Gotan Must Go,” “The Osun Commissioner of Police is Bias,” “We Demand Professional Impartial and Non Partisan Policing in Osun,” “There Should Be Equal Protection and Justice for All Citizens, Regardless of Political Affiliation,” “We Reject Compromised Policing, Unlawful Arrests, Harassment and Intimidation, and “Osun’s Peace Should Not be Disrupted
,” among others.

A statement issued by the protesters and signed by Olowu Emmanuel Aiyedun for Social Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA), Wale Balogun (Mekunnu Koya Movement), Demola Yaya (Citizenship and Citizen Awareness Centre (CCAC), Tobiloba Richards Agboola (Good Governance Initiative (GGI), Raufu Sodiq Akinkunmi (Youths for Better Nigeria), Olanrewaju Stephen (Centre for Accountability and Democracy) and Mrs Janet Olayemi Gbadebo for Grassroots Watch, called on the IGP to urgently review the security situation in Osun and take all necessary measures to guarantee a peaceful electoral environment.

According to them, they have become increasingly alarmed by the numerous complaints, allegations, and public concerns regarding the conduct of CP Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of treating political thugs with kid gloves and failing to checkmate political attacks in the state.

“Our concern is not based on a single incident but on a pattern of developments that have collectively undermined public confidence in the ability of the Police Command to provide the impartial security leadership required during this sensitive electoral period.

Between 8th and 9th May 2026, widespread destruction and vandalisation of campaign billboards were reported across several local government areas, including Irewole, Ayedaade, Ife, Irepodun, Oriade, and Osogbo. Despite the scale of these incidents and the public outcry that followed, many citizens remain concerned about the absence of visible accountability and the failure to bring those responsible to justice.

The killing of Mr. Kolade Eluyera in Ikire on 9th May 2026 further heightened public anxiety and fears regarding political violence in the State. The incident generated widespread condemnation and renewed calls for proactive security measures to prevent a deterioration of the political atmosphere,” they said.

Similarly, they added that reports of attacks on the Accord Party State Secretariat, campaign offices, and the ADC State Secretariat in Osogbo, coupled with allegations of harassment and intimidation of political supporters, as well as recurring incidents of politically related violence, have continued to deepen public apprehension.

“Most recently, the shooting incidents reported in parts of Osun State on 9th June 2026, which left several persons injured, have further heightened concerns about the capacity of the state’s security architecture to guarantee public safety and electoral peace.

The Network has received numerous complaints from residents, community leaders, youth groups, political stakeholders, and concerned citizens who fear that the current atmosphere of insecurity, mistrust, and political tension may discourage voters from participating in the forthcoming governorship election.

Furthermore, concerns have been raised regarding instances of alleged unprofessional conduct by some security personnel. One such incident involved the Secretary of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr. Lekan Akindoju, who was reportedly arrested and handcuffed from is house and the police claim that it was a mistake. There have also been reports from members of the public alleging intimidation and excessive use of force by security operatives. Such allegations, whether proven or not, further contribute to public anxiety and concerns about the conduct of policing in the State.

We are deeply concerned that the growing fear among voters may lead to widespread voter apathy, low voter turnout, and the indirect disenfranchisement of thousands of eligible citizens who may choose to stay away from polling units due to concerns for their safety and a perceived lack of confidence in the neutrality of security agencies,” they noted.