The Osun State Police Command, on Tuesday, began a manhunt for those responsible for the violence that erupted across the state, resulting in multiple deaths.
This came as the Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC) dismissed reports that its office had been sealed by military personnel, insisting that the local government election scheduled for Saturday would proceed as planned.
There was chaos in Osun State on Monday, following the insistence of sacked Local Government chairmen and councillors to return to council offices, a move resisted by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) supporters.
The APC members, on Monday, moved to enforce the judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure Division, which overturned their sack by the verdict of the Osogbo Federal High Court on November 25, 2022.
Members of the PDP, on the other hand, also mobilised to the council secretariats in large numbers and clashed with the APC members, a development that led to the loss of six lives and destruction of properties in many local government areas in the state.
A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress in the state, Remi Abass, who was allegedly killed at the entrance to the Irewole Local Government Area secretariat in Ikire, on Monday, was buried according to the Islamic rites on Tuesday.
Abass was among the six casualties recorded by the police, following the political unrest that engulfed the state.
In a statement on Tuesday, the command’s spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, expressed sympathy with those who lost loved ones and property.
Opalola said the Commissioner of Police, Mohammed Abba, promised a thorough investigation would be conducted to arrest the perpetrators and make them face the full wrath of the law.
“The event left six people dead and many people hospitalised.
“We are not happy with what happened yesterday, and various groups have been called for a meeting. We have held a series of meetings with the Commissioner of Police to ensure that this does not happen.
“We express our deepest sympathy to those affected, including those who lost their lives and property. The CP assured of a thorough investigation and promised that the perpetrators would face the full wrath of the law,” Opalola said.
The police asked the residents to remain calm and exercise patience for the operatives to carry out their lawful duties and restore peace.
“Those fomenting trouble should desist from this act. This state is known for peace.
“We won’t allow anyone to disrupt the peace of our state. The IGP has deployed mobile policemen from outside the state to Osun, they arrived yesterday night.
“The command will leave no stone unturned to achieve peace. Let us give peace a chance,” the statement added.
As the police promised restoration of peace in the state, the OSSIEC insisted that the local government would be held as scheduled.
The state slated February 22, 2025, for the conduct of the local government election.
The management of OSSIEC, in a statement by the commission’s Information Officer, Sadiat Isiaka, on Tuesday, dismissed insinuations that its premises had been sealed by military personnel.
The commission assured residents that the local government election slated for Saturday would be held as scheduled.
“OSSIEC wishes to alert members of the public to the fake news in circulation that the premises of the commission have been sealed off by the Nigerian Army.
“The general public, especially the electorate, are hereby enjoined to disregard the fake news as the premises of the commission are secure and safe as evident in the heavy presence of inter-agency security personnel comprising the combined team of the police, DSS, NSCDC, NDLEA, Amotekun Corps, the Vigilante, etc.
“Our commendations to the security agencies for providing adequate security for the staff, facilities and election materials at OSSIEC,” it noted.
The PUNCH
