By John Dike, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command has challenged the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, to provide evidence of the alleged “shoot-at-sight” order purportedly issued to police officers in the state.
It denied issuing such a directive, describing the allegation as false and malicious and capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force and undermining the good work done by its personnel during the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking with our correspondent on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, the Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said no police officer under the Commissioner’s command was instructed to shoot persons found within Local Government Council premises.
“There was no such order and no such directive was given to any policeman to shoot at sight,” Gotan said.
The Command therefore challenged the Speaker or anyone making the allegation to produce the purported order or any evidence showing that such an instruction was issued.
Ojelabi said the allegation would not distract the Command from its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.
The controversy followed a statement by Egbedun, in which he expressed grave concern over reports alleging that the Commissioner had directed police personnel to adopt a “shoot-at-sight” policy against persons found within Local Government Council premises.
The Speaker had described the alleged directive, if confirmed, as unacceptable in a democratic society and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter and clarify the operational orders issued to police formations in Osun.
But the police maintained that there was no such directive, describing the allegation as an attempt to cast the Force in a bad light.
According to the Command, its personnel demonstrated professionalism, discipline and restraint before, during and after the governorship election, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere recorded across the state.
The Command said officers deployed across the 30 Local Government Areas helped create a secure environment for voters, electoral officials, political parties and other stakeholders.
Gotan particularly praised his men for maintaining peace despite the political tension that preceded the election, saying their conduct helped prevent a breakdown of law and order.
He noted that the professional conduct of the police had attracted commendations from various quarters, including music star Davido and Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Adeleke Campaign Organisation.
The Commissioner said such commendations reflected the positive assessment of the Command’s performance during the election, urging stakeholders not to undermine the achievement with unsubstantiated allegations.
He said the August 15 election had come and gone, urging politicians and residents to avoid statements capable of unnecessarily heightening tension in the post-election period.
Gotan assured residents that the police would remain professional and provide security for all citizens irrespective of their political affiliations.
He further urged officers and men of the Command to remain civil, disciplined and committed to their duties.
The Commissioner said the Command would continue to work with relevant stakeholders to sustain the peace recorded during the election and ensure that the post-election period remained calm.
He maintained that the police would not be distracted by what he described as malicious allegations, stressing that the Command would remain focused on consolidating the security gains recorded during the election.
Gotan said the Osun Police deserved commendation for helping to supervise what he described as one of the peaceful electoral exercises witnessed in Africa.
He appealed to all stakeholders to support the police in maintaining peace and protecting lives and property across the state.
The Commissioner reiterated that the priority of the Osun State Police Command remained the protection of lives and property, maintenance of law and order and preservation of peace across the state.
