Police confirm 30 political killings ahead of Osun governorship poll

The Nigeria Police Force says it is investigating 30 cases of suspected politically motivated killings linked to the build-up to the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.

Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, disclosed this on Tuesday during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, monitored by the News Agency of Nigeria.

He said several suspects had already been arrested, with some publicly presented by the police before being arraigned in court.

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

Iniedu declined to provide further details on the ongoing investigations, explaining that commenting on the identities of suspects or the circumstances surrounding the cases could interfere with judicial proceedings.

He assured Nigerians that comprehensive information would be released after investigations had been concluded and the matters before the courts resolved.

Addressing allegations that the police were taking sides in the political crisis, the police spokesperson dismissed claims of bias, insisting that the force would neither conceal evidence nor protect anyone found to have committed crimes.

“It is logical that when an election is coming up, there will be accusive 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.

Iniedu also recalled the recent visit by the Inspector General of Police to Osogbo, where he met Governor Ademola Adeleke and other political stakeholders following growing concerns over violence ahead of the election.

According to him, the meeting provided an opportunity for all parties to air their grievances while the police chief emphasised that acts of violence would not be tolerated.

“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.

Responding to accusations that Osun State Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan was partisan and shielding suspects, Iniedu said the Inspector General personally addressed the issue with the commissioner.

He said the police chief issued clear directives and made it known that persistent allegations and counter-allegations would not be tolerated.

The spokesperson added that the IGP’s intervention had begun to produce positive results, noting that additional security assets, including specialised units, drones and helicopters, had been deployed to the state. He said intelligence gathering had also been strengthened through collaboration with other security agencies.

Iniedu further disclosed that the Nigeria Police Force currently has more than 400,000 serving officers nationwide.