Police Command Ordered to Clamp Down on Extrajudicial Killings in Osun

The Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police for the South-West, Adegoke Fayoade, has issued a stern directive to the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to mobilize all security agencies in the state to eliminate the rising trend of extrajudicial and cult-related killings.

The directive was delivered during a security meeting held at the Police Command Headquarters in Osogbo on Friday. The gathering included representatives from the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), religious leaders, political party officials, and the press.

Expressing deep concern over the reckless violence, DIG Fayoade emphasized that the state must no longer tolerate the “cultism competition” that has led to a cycle of retaliatory murders. He instructed the Commissioner of Police to identify and neutralize the hideouts of these groups, regardless of any potential political affiliations or social status.

“We don’t care what affiliation they have or what party they are; as long as they are disturbing the peace, they must be brought to book,” Fayoade stated.

To enforce this, the DIG has ordered a continuous “joint show of force.” Effective immediately, security personnel are expected to conduct intensive joint patrols every weekend leading up to the upcoming elections, utilizing the full range of police assets, including armored vehicles. Additionally, the police have been instructed to re-establish traditional checkpoints across the state to intercept illegal weapons.

The intervention follows a recent surge in violent incidents across Osun, including the tragic killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu last Sunday and the murder of a man identified as Rogba in Esa-Oke earlier this week.

Authorities maintain that these security measures are essential to restoring public order and sending a clear message that the state will no longer accept the status quo of lawlessness.