The Network of Osun Civil Society Groups has extended by 72 hours its earlier ultimatum to the Nigeria Police Force, citing the intervention of the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, over the recent wave of political violence in the state.
The group said the extension followed the visit of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the South-West, DIG Adegoke Fayoade, to Osun State, describing the intervention as an opportunity for the police authorities to implement directives aimed at restoring peace.
Addressing Journalists on Sunday by the leader of the group, Olowu Emmanuel, the group commended the Inspector-General for directing an immediate end to political violence and ordering the investigation, arrest and prosecution of individuals involved in murder, abduction and other criminal acts.
It, however, insisted that the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, remained its foremost demand, describing it as a necessary confidence-building measure ahead of the governorship election.
The network noted that its initial 72-hour ultimatum expired on Saturday, June 27, 2026, and that it had planned to commence another phase of lawful democratic action before deciding to suspend it in recognition of the Inspector-General’s intervention.
The civil society groups said they expected the directives issued during the DIG’s visit to be implemented without delay, stressing that residents deserved impartial investigations, prompt arrests and diligent prosecution of all those responsible for political violence.
The group maintained that the continued leadership of the Osun State Police Command under the current commissioner had weakened public confidence, calling for a comprehensive restructuring of the command’s leadership.
According to the statement, recent incidents of alleged attacks, abductions and killings in parts of the state, including Ilesa, Osogbo and Okinni, as well as what it described as the absence of visible police action, further strengthened its position on the need for a change in the command’s leadership.
The network also called for the replacement of the head of the State Anti-Cultism Unit, CSP Lukumon Afolabi, alongside prompt investigation of politically related crimes and the prosecution of perpetrators irrespective of their political affiliations.
It urged the Inspector-General of Police to act decisively within the extended 72-hour period, warning that failure to record meaningful progress would compel the group to announce the next phase of its peaceful and constitutional democratic actions.
The organisation reiterated that its advocacy remained peaceful, non-partisan and focused on protecting democracy, the rule of law and the safety of residents of Osun State.
