Osun 2026: Don’t harbour criminals, DIG Fayoade warns politicians

…Orders police, military, NSCDC to begin joint show of force

The Deputy Inspector-General of Police (DIG), South-West, Adegoke Fayoade, has warned politicians in Osun State against harbouring criminals ahead of the 2026 governorship election, declaring that security agencies will not tolerate violence or lawlessness.

Fayoade also directed the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, to work closely with other security agencies to commence regular joint show-of-force operations across the state as a deterrent to criminal elements.

The DIG gave the warning on Friday during a stakeholders’ meeting at the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo, convened to address rising political tension ahead of the governorship election.

The meeting was attended by representatives of the Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Department of State Services (DSS), Nigeria Immigration Service, Federal Fire Service, the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), and political parties, including the All Progressives Congress (APC). The Accord Party was absent.

Earlier in the week, the Commissioner of Police had convened a peace meeting with political stakeholders, but both the APC and Accord Party did not attend, prompting the DIG to convene Friday’s broader security meeting.

During the discussions, stakeholders blamed the state’s two major political parties for escalating tensions and urged them to make genuine efforts to de-escalate the situation.

Addressing participants, Fayoade said security agencies were determined to ensure Osun records a peaceful election similar to those recently conducted in Ekiti and Anambra states.

He noted that the current tension appeared to be a spillover from the 2022 governorship election and warned that security agencies would not allow a recurrence.

“We want to continue to have peaceful elections like we had in Ekiti and Anambra states, and Osun will not be an exception. We have seen that the situation is a spillover from the 2022 governorship election in the state, and we won’t allow that to continue,” he said.

The DIG directed security agencies to identify criminal hideouts, gather credible intelligence and apprehend those responsible for violence, irrespective of their political affiliations.

“We don’t care whether they belong to any political party. They must not disturb the peace of the people or continue their reckless killings,” he said.

He further warned politicians against shielding criminals, stressing that anyone found disrupting public peace would be dealt with in accordance with the law.

“We don’t care who harbours the criminals or what affiliation they have. As long as they are disturbing the peace of the people, they must be brought to book,” Fayoade added.

The DIG also ordered sustained joint patrols involving the police, military and other security agencies across the state from this weekend until the governorship election.

“There must be a joint show of force. From this weekend and every weekend until the election, security agencies should conduct joint patrols with armoured vehicles and all necessary equipment across the state. That will send a strong signal that it is no longer business as usual for criminal elements,” he said.

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