By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Thursday declared open the South-West Zonal Conference of State Directors of the Department of State Services (DSS) in Osogbo, effectively dismissing widespread speculation that his visit to the agency’s headquarters was connected to recent political violence in the state.
His presence at the DSS headquarters had fuelled rumours that he had been invited by the Service over the wave of violence that recently engulfed parts of Osogbo, particularly the deadly attacks linked to political activities ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
However, the Osun State Government clarified that Adeleke’s visit was strictly official, explaining that he was invited to declare open the regional security conference hosted by the Osun State Command of the DSS.
The conference brought together State Directors of the DSS from Osun, Oyo, Lagos, Ogun, Ondo and Ekiti states to deliberate on emerging security threats across the South-West and deepen intelligence sharing and inter-agency collaboration ahead of major political activities in the region.
Adeleke’s visit came amid heightened political tension following attacks in the Owode-Igbona area of Osogbo, where gunmen reportedly disrupted a mobilisation meeting of the All Progressives Congress (APC). The attack claimed two lives, left several others injured and heightened concerns over security ahead of the governorship election.
The violence reportedly spread to parts of Osogbo, with vehicles and other properties vandalised in the Idisheke Market area. In response, the Osun State Police Command confirmed the arrest of two suspects and the recovery of firearms and ammunition, assuring residents that investigations are ongoing to unravel the circumstances surrounding the attacks.
By declaring the conference open, Governor Adeleke put to rest speculation that his visit to the DSS headquarters was in response to any investigation, as the state government maintained that his attendance was solely to inaugurate the South-West security conference and reaffirm the importance of collaboration among security agencies in safeguarding the region.
