- 8 lives lost, many others injured
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, has vowed that those found culpable in the killing and maiming of people in Osun State early on Monday, 17th February 2025, would be brought to book.
Additionally, he has ordered the Police tactical squad to immediately restore peace in the State, warning that the Force would not condone any act of hooliganism, lawlessness and anarchy in the State.
Speaking through the Force Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), Olumuyiwa Adejobi, the IGP urged stakeholders to eschew violence and embrace peace across the Land of Virtue State.
IGP Egbetokun was reacting to the crisis over the control of local government secretariats in Osun State which worsened on Monday as eight persons, including a local government chairman, were reported to have lost their lives.
In a statement released on Monday, ACP Adejobi said; “In response to the ongoing violence in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned, in strong terms, the incidents that have disrupted peace and safety in the state, and vowed to bring the perpetrators to justice.
“These violent actions had disrupted the peace, leading to the destruction of property, and the unfortunate loss of innocent lives.
“The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has taken decisive action by ordering the deployment of additional tactical squads to Osun State to bolster security and restore law and order.
“The Police recognizes that violence undermines the democratic process and threatens the wellbeing of the citizens, and hereby affirms its commitment to identifying and prosecuting the perpetrators of these acts and caused them to face the full weight of the law.
“The IGP issues a stern warning to those who threaten the peace and stability in Osun State, as the Force will not tolerate any act of lawlessness, hooliganism and anarchy in the state.
“The perpetrators of these criminal acts will be fished out and be caused to face the consequences of their unwarranted ill-fated acts. Citizens must remain calm as normalcy is being restored.
“Osun indigenes, leaders and stakeholders are hereby urged to shun violence and go about their legitimate businesses.
“The judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter of all electoral disputes and political actors must respect and abide by its rulings, upholding the rule of law and democratic principles.
“Citizens are advised to go about their lawful business. The Force reiterates its commitment to clamping down on any violent actors who bent on creating brouhaha and breakdown of law and order in any part of the country.
“The situation in Osun will be closely monitored, and measures will be enforced to ensure a safe environment for all residents.”
Osun LG Clash Claims Eight Lives
Meanwhile, reports indicated that the battle for the souls of local government secretariats in Osun State worsened on Monday as it claimed the lives of eight persons, including a local government chairman.
Also, it was gathered that scores were injured as elected local government officials on the platform of the All Progressives Congress (APC) resumed offices at the various council secretariats.
While the state government said the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lost five persons, the opposition APC claimed that three of its members were killed in the crisis.
Claims by both the PDP and APC of being in control of the Council areas snowballed into the unfortunate crisis with APC insisting that the Appeal Court had reinstated the sacked elected Council Chairmen and councillors.
However, countering the claims, the Osun State government maintained that the said election was nullified by a Federal High Court in Osogbo.
LG Chairmen’s Move Worsens Crisis
Reports said the crisis took a turn for the worse when elected Council officials mobilised to resume work at their respective offices as early as 8 am on Monday.
Key LGAs in the centre of the crisis include Boripe, Ilesa-West, Obokun, Ayedaade, Isokan, Irewole, Iwo and Odo-Otin Local Government Areas among others.
But moving to stop the Chairmen from taking over the reins of power, reports said some thugs suspected to be loyalists of the ruling PDP in the affected areas stormed the offices and shot sporadically into the air causing panic among members of the public.
Amid attempts to resist the invading group, another set of thugs touted as being loyal to the APC immediately countered the move and the development led to casualties on both sides.
