Adeleke Receives New Osun Police Commissioner, Demands Release of Detained Accord Party Members
Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has received the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Zungura, and called on the police command to take concrete steps to restore public confidence and strengthen peace and security across the state.
The governor made the call on Monday when the new Commissioner of Police paid him a courtesy visit as part of his engagement with the state government following his deployment to Osun.
Adeleke said the security situation in the state had not completely returned to the level expected following the August 15 governorship election, stressing that rebuilding public trust in the police should be one of the immediate priorities of the new police commissioner.
According to the governor, the police have an important role to play in ensuring that residents of Osun feel protected regardless of their political affiliations, particularly at a time when political tensions remain a major concern in the state.
Adeleke Lists Key Expectations for New Police Commissioner
During the meeting, Governor Adeleke presented five major requests to CP Ibrahim Zungura, urging him to ensure that policing in Osun is guided by professionalism, fairness and impartiality.
The governor called for a police command that would operate without political bias and treat residents equally, regardless of their political party or personal affiliations.
He also emphasised the need for stronger cooperation between the Osun State Government and the Nigeria Police Force, saying effective collaboration between government and security agencies would be important in maintaining peace and addressing security challenges across the state.
Adeleke further called on the new commissioner to examine the activities of certain police units that, according to him, have been perceived by some members of the public as being sympathetic to particular political interests.
The governor said restoring confidence would require the police to demonstrate through their actions that security enforcement in the state would be based on law and justice rather than political considerations.
Governor Wants Stronger Participation in State Security Council
Another issue raised by Adeleke was the need for the police command to participate effectively in meetings of the State Security Council.
The governor said regular cooperation and information-sharing among security agencies would help improve coordination and ensure that security concerns are addressed before they escalate.
The State Security Council provides a platform for relevant security authorities and the state government to discuss security developments and coordinate responses to emerging threats.
Adeleke therefore urged the new police commissioner to strengthen his engagement with other security stakeholders in the state and ensure that the police remain an active part of efforts to maintain stability.
Adeleke Demands Release of Accord Party Members
One of the most significant requests made by the governor was his call for the release of members of the Accord Party whom he described as “political prisoners.”
Adeleke urged the police to stop what he described as politically motivated arrests and detentions.
The demand follows earlier allegations by Adeleke's political campaign team that several members and supporters of the group had been arrested or detained.
The governor's position is that law enforcement should not be used as a tool for political intimidation and that people should not be arrested simply because of their political affiliations.
He therefore asked CP Zungura to review the circumstances surrounding the arrests and take appropriate action where necessary.
Governor Promises Support for Police
While making his demands, Adeleke also assured the new police commissioner that the Osun State Government was prepared to support the police in carrying out their responsibilities.
The governor said the state government understands the importance of an effective security system and would continue to support legitimate efforts aimed at protecting residents and maintaining peace.
However, he stressed that such support must go hand in hand with professionalism and impartiality.
According to Adeleke, what the people of Osun need is a police force that can be trusted by everyone, irrespective of political party, social status or other affiliations.
He said the government wants a security system in which residents can confidently report incidents, seek protection and expect the law to be applied fairly.
New Commissioner Promises Cooperation
Responding to the governor, CP Ibrahim Zungura promised to work closely with the Osun State Government and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen peace and stability in the state.
Zungura said he was committed to addressing the security challenges confronting Osun and ensuring that the police command carried out its responsibilities effectively.
The new commissioner also pledged to be fair to all sides and work toward creating an environment where residents can go about their daily activities without fear.
His commitment comes at a time when the state government is calling for greater confidence in the security institutions following political tensions associated with the recent election.
Political Tensions Remain a Concern
The governor's meeting with the new police commissioner also comes against the background of continuing political disagreements in Osun.
Adeleke called on political parties, politicians and other leaders in the state to put their differences aside and work together toward restoring peace and stability.
He stressed that political disagreements should not be allowed to undermine the security and wellbeing of ordinary residents.
According to him, political competition should be conducted within the boundaries of the law, while security agencies should remain neutral and focused on protecting the lives and property of all residents.
The governor also appealed to political leaders to support efforts that would prevent further tension and promote peaceful coexistence across the state.
Adeleke Calls for Police Everyone Can Trust
Adeleke's appeal ultimately centred on the need to rebuild public confidence in the police.
He said residents should be able to trust the police regardless of which political party they support, adding that impartiality and justice are essential to maintaining peace in a politically active state such as Osun.
The governor said the police command must demonstrate through its conduct that it serves the entire population rather than any particular political interest.
He added that cooperation between political leaders, government institutions, security agencies and residents would be necessary to create lasting peace.
“Osun Deserves Peace and Justice”
In his closing remarks, Adeleke called on political parties and leaders to work together for the good of the state.
He said:
“Osun deserves peace, it deserves justice, and it deserves a police force that all residents, regardless of their political party, can have confidence in.”
The statement captures the central message of the governor's meeting with the new Commissioner of Police: that security institutions must remain professional, impartial and accountable to the people.
With CP Ibrahim Zungura now taking charge of the Osun Police Command, attention will be on how the new leadership responds to the governor's requests, particularly the calls for greater police neutrality, stronger security coordination and a review of politically related arrests.
For the people of Osun, the immediate expectation is that the new police leadership will help strengthen peace, protect residents and rebuild confidence in the state's security system.