An Osun-based journalist, Sodiq Lawal Chocomilo, has called for the resignation of the Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that the command has failed to curb rising cases of political violence and insecurity in the state.
Chocomilo made the call in an open letter addressed to the police commissioner, where he expressed concern over what he described as worsening insecurity linked to political activities.
“It is clear that the calculations of political thugs across parties and the influence of their sponsors have overwhelmed your command’s capacity to maintain law and order in the state,” he wrote.
He further alleged that the situation had resulted in increased killings and the public display of firearms by suspected non-state actors.
“This reality is reflected in the increasing spate of political killings and the brazen, public display of firearms by non-state actors who now operate with impunity, undermining the authority of the Nigeria Police Force,” he stated.
The journalist cited several violent incidents across parts of the state, including Osogbo, Ilesa, Iwo, Ife and Ilobu, claiming that residents now live in fear due to recurring clashes involving political actors.
He also referenced specific cases of violence, including the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, attacks on residents in Ilesa, and shootings in Osogbo, which he said reflect a broader security failure.
“In Ilobu, political thugs murdered a 14-year-old boy in cold blood,” he wrote, adding that “in Osogbo… victims shot by gunmen are still recovering from bullet wounds.”
Chocomilo also alleged that illegal arms are being openly circulated in the state without effective police intervention.
“From Osogbo to Ilesa, Ife, Iwo, and Ede, political thugs display guns in public. They are not ghosts,” he stated.
He questioned the effectiveness of the police command in arresting or prosecuting those allegedly responsible for the attacks.
“It is alarming that Osun Police have not arrested anyone directly linked to these sad events,” he added.
The journalist argued that the core responsibility of the police is to protect lives and property, insisting that the command has fallen short of its mandate.
“You did not kill these children. You did not hand weapons to political thugs. But you failed to protect them from being killed,” he wrote.
He maintained that failure to bring perpetrators to justice was contributing to a climate of fear and impunity across the state.
Chocomilo further warned that continued violence without accountability could further erode public confidence in the police and worsen insecurity in the state.
