The Network of Osun Civil Society Groups has insisted on the redeployment of the Commissioner of Police ,CP Ibrahim Gotan ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

The groups in a statement issued and signed by Comrade Emmanuel Olowu of Social Economic and Civic Rights Advocacy (SECRA)on behalf of Comrade Stephen Olanrewaju – Centre for Accountability and Democracy, Comrade Wale Balogun- Mekunnu Koya, Comrade Demola Yaya- Citizenship and Citizen Awareness Centre (CCAC), Comrade Tobiloba Richards Agboola- Good Governance Initiative (GGI), Comrade Raufu Sodiq – Youths for Better Nigeria and Comrade Mrs. Janet Gbadebo – Grassroots Watch , said this remains the most sustainable solution to the growing political violence and insecurity in Osun.

The CSOs while appreciating the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Idrisu Disu for his intervention through a visit of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Southwest), DIG Adegoke Fayoade to the state, noted that changing the CP will restore public trust and guarantee a peaceful electoral environment.

They alleged that CP Gotan has failed to demonstrate the capacity to restore public confidence or convince the people of Osun that the Command has departed from patterns of partisan policing that has fueled widespread concern and violence.

They urged the IGP to make sure all directives issued during the DIG’s visit are implemented without delay.

“It will be recalled that the Network had earlier issued a 72-hour ultimatum to the Nigeria Police Force, which expired on Saturday, 27th June 2026, demanding, among other things, the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, as a confidence-building measure ahead of the forthcoming governorship election and in the interest of public safety.

“Ordinarily, the expiration of that ultimatum would have marked the commencement of the next phase of our lawful democratic actions. However, in recognition of the Inspector-General’s intervention and in the interest of peace, constructive engagement, and respect for constituted authority, we have resolved to extend our next line of action by another seventy-two (72) hours.

“This extension is to allow the leadership of the Nigeria Police Force to implement the Inspector-General’s directives and to give both the Inspector-General and the Police Service Commission adequate time to act on our foremost demand: the immediate redeployment of CP Ibrahim Gotan from Osun State.
We and the entire people in the state sincerely hope that the directives issued during the Deputy Inspector-General’s visit will be implemented without delay. The people of Osun deserve to see impartial investigations, prompt arrests, and diligent prosecution of everyone responsible for political violence.
Our position, however, remains unchanged.

“The immediate redeployment of CP Ibrahim Gotan, alongside a comprehensive restructuring of the leadership of the Osun State Police Command, remains the most sustainable solution to the growing political violence and insecurity in the State. It is also the strongest confidence-building measure for restoring public trust and guaranteeing a peaceful electoral environment.
Our conviction has only been strengthened by events that occurred after the Deputy Inspector-General’s visit and despite the clear directive of the Inspector-General.

“Reports and videos circulating in the public domain show the alleged attack and abduction of an Accord Party member in Ilesa by suspected political thugs in an APC/AMBO-branded campaign vehicle. Following public outrage, the victim reportedly resurfaced in police custody, yet no arrests have been made and no explanation has been offered as to how the abducted ended up with the police.

“There are also reports that another alleged Accord member was shot dead in the Ayekale area of Osogbo. Yesterday, another violent incident emerged in what was initially reported as a reprisal attack on an APC member by suspected thugs wearing Accord insignia, based on the victim’s first public statement. The same victim has since released another video alleging that he was actually shot by APC thugs and forced to retract his earlier claim.

“As of this morning, we have also received several reports of indiscriminate midnight gunfire at the Oroki Estate office of an APC chieftain, Abdulkabir Adeoye, popularly known as Ajisope, leaving residents traumatised. There are also unconfirmed reports of an attack on one alleged APC supporter in Okinni, who sustained serious injuries, and another unconfirmed report of an overnight gun attack on three traditional chiefs who are also Accord supporters in the same community.

“So, from Ilesa to Osogbo and Okinni, accusations and counter-accusations of politically motivated attacks continue unabated despite subsisting order of the IGP.
What is most disturbing is that these documented incidents have occurred without any visible police intervention, arrests, or convincing public explanation, except for the reported transfer of the Okinni Divisional Police Offer who according to report made efforts to provide medical care for the Okinni chiefs but was subsequently transfered as a result this morning.

“This further erodes public confidence in the ability of the Osun State Police Command under CP Gotan to act impartially and carry out legitimate orders even from his superiors.

“The Network therefore maintains that a Commissioner of Police under whose watch these security challenges have escalated, amid persistent allegations of partisanship, cannot reasonably be expected to restore public confidence. Whether through acts of omission or inadequate enforcement, confidence in the leadership of the Osun State Police Command has been severely damaged and cannot be rebuilt under the continued leadership of CP Ibrahim Gotan.

“For these reasons, we respectfully urge the Inspector-General of Police and the Deputy Inspector-General (South-West) to take the next logical step by changing the leadership of the Osun State Police Command. In our considered view, CP Ibrahim Gotan has failed to demonstrate the capacity to restore public confidence or convince the people of Osun that the Command has departed from the pattern of partisan policing that has fuelled widespread concern and violence.”

The group therefore call for the following immediate actions: “The immediate redeployment of CP Ibrahim Gotan as Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command.

“A comprehensive restructuring of the leadership and policing architecture of the Osun State Police Command, including the immediate replacement of the Head of the State Anti-Cultism Unit, CSP Lukumon Afolabi (Eluku), whose conduct in handling these incidents has raised serious concerns about professionalism.

“Prompt investigation of all politically related killings, attacks, abductions, and other violent crimes.

“The arrest and prosecution of all perpetrators, regardless of political affiliation or status.

“Strengthened intelligence-led, professional, and impartial policing across Osun State.”