Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has urged the newly deployed Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to reform the state police command, restore public confidence and release members of the Accord Party he described as political detainees.
Zungura, who assumed duty on Monday, made a courtesy visit to Adeleke alongside senior officers of the command. He pledged to work with the state government to strengthen peace and security, promising impartial policing.
Adeleke, however, said post-election tensions had not completely subsided and presented the new CP with five demands aimed at restoring confidence in the police.
The governor called for professional and impartial policing, stronger cooperation between the government and police, and the reorganisation of operational units he alleged had been compromised or perceived as politically partisan.
He also urged the command to participate fully in State Security Council meetings and called for the immediate release of detained Accord Party members, as well as an end to what he described as politically motivated arrests.
Adeleke also raised concerns over a recent police operation in Ikire in which two people were reportedly killed and called for disciplinary action against the Divisional Police Officer allegedly linked to the incident.
The governor assured Zungura of government support for police operations, but stressed that the assistance would come without political conditions.
“Our government is ready to support police operations without any strings attached. What we seek is fair policing,” Adeleke said.
The meeting followed weeks of tension between the state government and the police over alleged arrests and attacks involving Accord Party members before and after the August 15 governorship election. The Accord Party had earlier demanded the release or prosecution of detained members and supporters.
Sixteen Accord members were also reportedly released by court intervention on August 21 after being detained following the election.
Adeleke, who secured re-election in the August 15 poll, said his administration was ready to work with all stakeholders to restore peace and rebuild trust in the state.
Zungura’s deployment followed the transfer of former Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, whose tenure had been criticised by the Accord Party over alleged failure to adequately address attacks against its members.
