Osun faults police over ‘political intimidation,’ command pushes back

The Osun State Government on Wednesday accused the state Police Command of targeting its officials for political reasons, a claim the police have firmly rejected.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that some police officers were working with “desperate political actors” to intimidate and harass officials of the Adeleke administration through “phantom petitions” ahead of the 2026 elections.

The statement warned against “the unwholesome practice of witch-hunting officials to serve political purposes,” insisting that the police must focus on their constitutional duty of protecting all citizens rather than acting as “a tool of oppression.”

Alimi said the government found it troubling that some officers were allegedly being used to silence dissenting voices.

He added that several officials had recently been invited by the police in what he described as politically motivated attempts to coerce or intimidate them.

He said, “As a government committed to law and order, it is alarming that our officials are being hounded for political reasons.

“Holding political beliefs should not be a crime, and the police must not allow themselves to be weaponised.”

The government urged the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, and the Police Service Commission to investigate what it called unprofessional conduct within the command, warning that it would not hesitate to take legal action to protect its officials.

In a swift response, the Police Public Relations Officer for the command, Abiodun Ojelabi, dismissed the accusations and challenged the government to provide evidence.

“They should identify any particular person who has been hunted or any petition treated in a biased manner,” Ojelabi said.

“The Osun State Police Command is not witch-hunting anybody.

“We are performing our duties professionally and within the law.”

He added that the command would not be drawn into political disputes and would continue to carry out its responsibilities without fear or favour.