The Network of Civil Society Groups in Osun has renewed its call for the immediate redeployment of Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, describing his continued stay in the state as a serious threat to credible policing and public confidence.

In a statement issued on Monday, the coalition praised the Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunde Disu, for his swift intervention in Osun’s security situation, particularly his directive ordering an end to political violence, the arrest of all perpetrators regardless of political affiliation, and his personal visit to assess the situation.

According to the group, the IGP’s intervention has led to a noticeable reduction in political violence, proving that peace is possible when policing is professional and impartial.

However, the coalition accused the Osun Police Command under CP Gotan of failing to act until the IGP stepped in, alleging that the command had abandoned neutrality and lost the trust of many residents.

The civil society groups also pointed to the recent confessional video allegedly made by Oriyomi Olalekan, claiming it exposed major contradictions in the police’s earlier account of the alleged assassination attempt on APC Campaign Council Director-General, Hon. Wole Oke. They argued that if the claims in the video are true, the public may have been deliberately misled and law enforcement used to promote a political narrative.

Describing such allegations as dangerous to democracy and the rule of law, the coalition insisted that the Nigeria Police Force must remain professional, impartial, and guided by evidence rather than political interests.

The group maintained that the approach of the Osun Police Command has weakened public confidence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, warning that credible elections require security agencies trusted by all political stakeholders.

The coalition urged the Inspector General of Police to immediately redeploy CP Ibrahim Gotan, appoint a neutral and professional replacement, and launch a full investigation into the allegation that a suspect’s confessional statement was falsified, with anyone found culpable brought to justice.

The Network warned that it would continue to monitor developments and may mobilise peaceful public action if urgent steps are not taken, insisting that the people of Osun deserve a Police Command that serves the Constitution rather than politics.