The police have confirmed 30 cases of alleged politically motivated killings ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun. The force’s spokesman, Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Channels TV on Tuesday.

A few arrests had been made, said Mr Iniedu.

The officer also mentioned that some of the suspects were paraded by the police, and a few had been charged in court.

“From the complaints received, we cannot rule out the involvement of some politicians in the killings,” he said.

Mr Iniedu, however, declined to give details of the cases, the suspects and their accomplices, as according to him, doing so would amount to subjudice and media trial.

He assured that the details would be provided when investigations are completed and when the cases in court are determined.

Reacting to alleged police complicity in the political crisis in Osun, Mr Iniedu said the security agency would not be part of any cover-up and would not shield any person involved in any crime.

“It is logical that when an election is coming up, there will be accusatory fingers pointed by the gladiators,  particularly against the police.

“But I can assure you that the inspector general of police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has given a marching order that any suspected criminal must be tracked, arrested and prosecuted,” he said.

He recalled that the IGP recently visited Osogbo, the state capital, to address escalating political tensions and pre-election violence ahead of the governorship election.

Mr Iniedu said the IGP met with the state governor, Ademola Adeleke and key stakeholders to warn against thuggery and political violence.

“When we were In Osogbo, the IGP met with every stakeholder. The governor and the opposition made accusations and counter-accusations. The posture of the IGP is that we will not tolerate killings and any form of breakdown of law and order. The IGP also warned parents to caution their children and wards to shun violence and desist from being used as tools to settle political scores,” he said.

Regarding the allegation of partisanship and shielding of suspects against the state commissioner of police, Ibrahim Gotan, the FPRO said the IGP met with the CP on the issue.

According to him, the IG directed the commissioner on what to do and warned that he would not tolerate such back-and-forth accusations.

Mr Iniedu said the IGP’s visit to the state was a huge success and was already yielding results. According to him, specialised units, drones, and helicopters have been deployed to Osun.

(NAN)