Alleged Assassination Attempt: CSOs Allege CP Gotan Of Falsifying Suspects’ Confessional Statement

— Reinstate Calls For CP Redeployment

The Network of Civil Society Groups, Osun has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu to immediately redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that his continued stay in the state poses a threat to credible policing and public confidence ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Addressing newsmen in Osogbo on Tuesday, the group commended the IGP for his swift intervention in the state’s security situation, particularly his directive ordering an end to political violence, killings and thuggery and the arrest of all perpetrators regardless of political affiliation.

Speaking on behalf of the coalition, Olowu Emmanuel Aiyedun alleged that the police command had compromised its neutrality and lost the confidence of many residents of the state.

Aiyedun accused the Osun State Police Command under CP Ibrahim Gotan of failing to discharge its constitutional responsibilities until the IGP’s intervention.

Aiyedun cited the alleged confessional video of one Oriyomi Olalekan who was earlier presented by the police as the suspect in the alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Wole Oke.

According to him, “We have consistently maintained that CP Ibrahim Gotan has compromised the neutrality expected of the Nigeria Police Force and has lost the confidence of a larger section of the people of Osun State. Recent events have only strengthened that position.

“The confessional video allegedly made by one Oriyomi Olalekan, who was earlier presented by the Osun Police as the suspect behind the alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the APC Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke, has exposed serious inconsistencies in the police’s earlier claims.

“If the account contained in the video is true, then the public was deliberately misled and the machinery of law enforcement was used to promote a false narrative for political purposes.

“Nothing is more dangerous to democracy, peace, and the maintenance of the rule of law than a police command that appears willing to abandon professionalism for criminality in order to satisfy political interests.

“The Nigeria Police Force exists to enforce the law, not to serve the political agenda of any individual or political party.

“Any conduct that creates a reasonable perception of bias or political alignment is a betrayal of these responsibilities.

“The actions of the Osun Police Command under CP Ibrahim Gotan have repeatedly created the impression that policing in the state is no longer guided solely by evidence, fairness, and the rule of law. This perception has seriously eroded public confidence in the command and weakened the credibility of the police at a time when Osun needs a trusted and impartial security institution.

“Our earlier call for the redeployment of CP Ibrahim Gotan was not motivated by politics. It was based on our responsibility as civil society organisations and our duty to give voice to the people.

“As Osun moves closer to the governorship election, it would be dangerous to leave the security of the electoral process in the hands of a Commissioner of Police who appears to have compromised his office and whose neutrality has become the subject of widespread public concern. Elections can only be credible when security agencies are trusted by all stakeholders and the electorate.

We therefore respectfully call on the Inspector General of Police to; Immediately redeploy CP Ibrahim Gotan from Osun State. Appoint a Commissioner of Police whose integrity, professionalism, and neutrality will restore public confidence and guarantee equal protection for every citizen and every political party.

“Investigate the allegation of falsifying a suspect’s statement and ensure that the full wrath of the law is brought upon whoever is found culpable.

“The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun will continue to monitor developments closely and will not remain silent while the integrity of law enforcement and the democratic process is threatened.

“We hope we will not be forced to mobilise the people and return to the streets before the needful is done in this matter.” he said.