Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has formally received the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Zungura, urging him to reform the police command, restore public confidence and secure the release of persons he described as political detainees.
Zungura, who assumed duty in Osun on Monday, visited the governor alongside senior officers of the command. During the meeting, the new CP pledged to work closely with the state government to strengthen peace, stability and public confidence in the police.
The meeting came amid lingering tensions between the Adeleke administration and the police, particularly over events before and after the August 15 governorship election.
Zungura assured the governor that his administration of the command would be impartial and focused on addressing security challenges across the state.
“I promise to work with the state government for peace and stability of the state. I will be fair to all, and I will prove my commitment in the next few weeks. Osun is a peaceful state, and we will work to address all outstanding issues,” he said.
Adeleke demands police reforms
Speaking at the meeting, Adeleke said peace had not been fully restored in the state following the election and charged the new commissioner with rebuilding public trust in the police command.
The governor specifically referenced the recent violence in Ikire, where two people were reportedly killed, and alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been implicated in the incident.
Adeleke called for immediate disciplinary action against the DPO.
“Based on all details of the attacks, I request immediate commencement of disciplinary action against the DPO. He has become a threat to the people he was posted to protect,” the governor said.
The governor presented five key demands which he said were essential to restoring peace and normalcy to Osun’s political environment.
He urged the new CP to rebuild public confidence by ensuring that police officers perform their duties professionally and impartially, while giving greater consideration to the rights and welfare of residents.
Adeleke also called for stronger cooperation between the state government and the police command, stressing that his administration was seeking “no favour other than fair policing.”
He further demanded an overhaul of the command’s internal operations, particularly units he alleged had been compromised or developed a reputation for political bias.
Demand for release of detainees
The governor also called for the release of members of the Accord Party whom he described as political detainees.
“I also call for the release of several Accord members arrested and indeterminate as political detainees. Further arrests of our members should also stop,” Adeleke said.
He urged the new commissioner to approach his responsibilities without political bias and ensure that the police command operates as a neutral institution responsible for protecting all residents of the state.
The meeting is expected to mark the beginning of a new engagement between the Osun Government and the police command, with both sides expressing commitment to restoring peace, stability and public confidence in the state.
