Osun State CP, Ibrahim Gotan
By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun Stare Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ibrahim Gotan, has warned politicians, their supporters and other stakeholders against any attempt to undermine the security of the state before, during and after the forthcoming governorship elections.
He assured that the command will deal decisively with anyone found violating the law.
Speaking with our correspondent in Osogbo, the police commissioner said the command had already put in place adequate security measures to guarantee the safety of residents and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful, free and credible atmosphere.
Gotan warned politicians to conduct their campaigns and other election-related activities in accordance with the Electoral Act and other extant laws, stressing that the police would not tolerate acts of violence, intimidation, thuggery, vote-buying, unlawful possession of firearms or any other action capable of threatening public peace.
According to him, no individual, irrespective of political affiliation, social status or position in society, will be spared if found engaging in activities capable of disrupting the peace of the state.
He said anyone who attempts to cause violence before, during or after the election would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to ensuring that Osun State remains peaceful throughout the election period. We will not allow any person or group to threaten the security of lives and property. Anyone found violating the law will be arrested and made to face prosecution,” he said.
The commissioner noted that Osun has continued to enjoy relative peace compared to many parts of the country, adding that the police command is determined to sustain the prevailing security situation through intelligence-led policing, proactive operations and close collaboration with other security agencies.
He explained that the command has continued to engage political parties, candidates and their supporters on the need to conduct themselves peacefully during campaigns and avoid actions capable of creating tension.
According to him, regular meetings and consultations with political stakeholders are being held to encourage issue-based campaigns and ensure that every participant understands the importance of maintaining peace before, during and after the governorship election.
Gotan reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force remains a professional and apolitical institution whose responsibility is to protect lives and property without bias.
He assured residents that the command would discharge its constitutional responsibilities fairly and impartially, emphasizing that officers and men deployed for election duties would operate within the confines of the law.
The police boss disclosed that surveillance has been intensified across all parts of the state, while tactical squads have been strategically deployed to flashpoints and other vulnerable locations to prevent any breakdown of law and order.
He added that security personnel are maintaining constant patrols across major towns, highways and border communities, while intelligence gathering has also been strengthened to detect and prevent criminal activities before they occur.
According to him, all identified flashpoints across the state are under close monitoring, with tactical teams maintaining round-the-clock surveillance to ensure that criminal elements do not exploit the election period to perpetrate violence or other unlawful acts.
Gotan further reaffirmed the command’s determination to combat all forms of crime and criminality, particularly political thuggery, cultism, armed robbery, kidnapping and other offences capable of threatening public safety.
He warned political thugs and other criminal elements to stay away from Osun State, stressing that the command has the capacity and operational resources to respond swiftly to any security challenge.
The commissioner appealed to members of the public to support the police and other security agencies by providing timely, credible and actionable information that would assist in identifying and apprehending criminal suspects.
He said effective policing cannot be achieved without the active cooperation of the public, noting that security is a collective responsibility that requires collaboration between law enforcement agencies and residents.
Gotan assured citizens that the command would continue to provide the necessary manpower, logistics and operational support needed to improve security across the state and protect all eligible voters during the election.
He also commended officers and men of the Osun State Police Command for their professionalism, dedication and commitment to duty, urging them to remain vigilant and maintain the highest standards of discipline throughout the election period.
The commissioner called on residents to remain law-abiding, go about their lawful businesses without fear and cooperate with security agencies to ensure that the forthcoming governorship election is peaceful, credible and violence-free.
