Osun Police Launch Probe Into Shootings, Hunt Suspects

The Osun State Police Command has launched an investigation into a series of shooting incidents in parts of the state that left several people injured.

In a statement issued on Wednesday on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command was deeply concerned about the incidents and had begun efforts to identify and arrest those responsible.

According to the statement, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), along with the Operations and Intelligence Departments, to carry out a comprehensive investigation.

“The Commissioner of Police immediately directed the Command’s Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU), alongside the department of operations and intelligence units of the command, to commence a thorough investigation aimed at arresting and prosecuting those responsible,” the statement said.

The police noted that the investigation is aimed at ensuring that everyone connected to the attacks is identified, arrested, and prosecuted.

The command also assured residents that normalcy has been restored in the affected areas and that measures have been put in place to prevent a repeat of the violence.

“The Command wishes to reassure residents that all necessary steps have been taken as normalcy has been restored to the areas and measures have been implemented to prevent any recurrence,” the statement added.

According to the police, security has been strengthened in the affected communities, while intelligence-led operations are ongoing to track down the perpetrators and anyone suspected of sponsoring the attacks.

The command further disclosed that injured victims were quickly evacuated to medical facilities for treatment and are responding positively to medical care.

The Commissioner of Police appealed to residents to remain calm, vigilant, and law-abiding. He also urged members of the public with useful information to assist security agencies in their investigation.

“Citizens with useful information that can aid the ongoing investigation are encouraged to report to the nearest police station or contact the Command through its emergency channels. All information provided will be treated with strict confidentiality,” Ojelabi said.

The police reiterated their commitment to protecting lives and property across Osun State and promised to ensure that those behind the criminal acts are brought to justice.

The command also warned individuals and groups against taking the law into their own hands or engaging in activities capable of disrupting public peace and security.

The investigation follows a wave of violence reported in Osogbo, Ede, and Ile-Ife, which sparked a war of words between Governor Ademola Adeleke and the Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council.

Both sides called for security intervention and investigations while accusing rival political groups of being responsible for the disturbances.

Speaking at an emergency press briefing in Osogbo, Governor Adeleke condemned what he described as coordinated attacks by political thugs allegedly linked to the governorship campaign of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji, popularly known as AMBO.

However, the APC Governorship Campaign Council rejected the allegations and accused supporters of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Accord Party of carrying out attacks against APC members and campaign assets.

The Accord Party, through a statement signed by its Osun State Chairman, Pastor Victor Babalola Akande, also alleged that armed thugs linked to the APC governorship campaign were responsible for shootings in parts of Osogbo and Owode-Ede that reportedly resulted in injuries and casualties.

Police investigations into the incidents are ongoing.