The Public Relations Officer of the Osun State Police Command, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, and aide to Governor Ademola Adeleke on Monday engaged in a heated exchange on Facebook over the identity of men seen in black uniforms escorting , Asiri Eniba, during unrest around motor parks in Osogbo.
The exchange followed a Facebook post by Governor Adeleke’s Special Adviser on Media, Hezekiah Bamiji Oladele, who alleged that officers of the Osun State Police Command were escorting APC thugs around major motor parks in Osogbo.
Oladele claimed the development reflected poorly on the command under the leadership of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, alleging that police personnel were leading APC thugs around the state capital to cause mayhem at major motor parks.
He wrote, “This is what Osun State Police Command has been reduced to under the watch of Mr Ibrahim Gottan, Osun State Police Commissioner. The command’s men are seen here leading osun APC thugs around to cause mayhem in major motor parks in Osogbo, the Osun State capital on Monday. Nigeria Police Force , Dsp Abiodun Ojelabi”
Reacting in the comment section, DSP Ojelabi questioned the claim, asking Oladele whether those seen in the photographs were indeed police officers and stating that the allegation would have to be proved beyond reasonable doubt at the appropriate time.
The police spokesman also responded to another commenter, Sola Isola, questioning whether every person dressed in black should automatically be regarded as a police officer.
He challenged those making the allegation to identify anything in the photographs showing that the men were policemen, insisting that his response was not intended as intimidation.
Ojelabi wrote, Ojelabi wrote, “Hezekiak Bamiji Oladele Hob are those ones police officers,you will proof beyond reasonable doubt when it’s time. @Sola Isola you are expected to know better,so any uniform man on black is a police officer right?Can you point out one thing to show they are police men.This is not intimidation guy.”
The comments triggered further reactions from other Facebook users.
Temitope Boluwaji replied that the police would need to disprove the allegation by apprehending the person being escorted, identified as Asiri Eniba, suggesting that such an action would clarify the identity of the armed men.
She wrote, “You’ll need to prove him wrong by apprehending the man they’re escorting in person of Asiri eniba, he’ll definitely provide them.”
Another commenter, Oluniyi Hisamotu McMalaga, challenged the police spokesman’s position, asking whether the circled individual in the photograph was not wearing police khaki. He urged the police to reflect on their actions, saying people’s deeds would always be remembered.
He wrote, “What are you trying to twist? Is this not a Police Khaki on the circled man or is Police no longer using such Khaki again? Remember, someone was in that your position previously. The good or bad we do in life will always live after us. Enough said!”
Responding to DSP Ojelabi, Hezekiah Bamiji Oladele expressed disbelief that the police spokesman could publicly deny that the armed men were policemen.
He questioned whether men displaying sophisticated firearms in public could operate in the state without the knowledge of the police command, adding that he expected a better response from the command.
He wrote, “You are not even ashamed of yourself to say this in public? So, you are telling me these are not policemen and they are displaying such sophisticated firearms with such a dress in public glare in a state where we have a police commissioner? I expect you to do better this man. Ojelabi, are you saying Osun Police were on unannounced holiday today? Nigeria Police Force”
Another Facebook user, Arákùnrin Bólánlé Bámidélé Adéwuyì, urged the police spokesman to stop issuing threats and instead address the security situation. He argued that armed men had taken to the streets displaying firearms in the presence of security personnel and advised the police to focus on restoring order rather than threatening critics.
He said, “Dsp Abiodun Ojelabi oga sir, please halt threatening us since you can’t do the needful. The thugs took to the streets, displayed firearms in public where we have the presence of members of the Nigeria Police Force . In as much you can’t arrest the situation, then you don’t need to begin to threatening us, oga.”
Also commenting, Olabode Arimi urged the police to carry out their duties with fairness, professionalism and without political bias.
He stated that allegations of violence and the killing of innocent people should not be allowed to continue, stressing that security agencies were expected to protect every citizen regardless of political affiliation and ensure that anyone responsible for violence was held accountable in accordance with the law.
Olabode said “Dsp Abiodun Ojelabi Oga, please do your job with fairness, professionalism, and without political bias. The killing of innocent people and the violence allegedly being carried out by political thugs in Osun State are deeply disturbing and should not be allowed to continue. Security agencies are expected to protect every citizen, regardless of political affiliation. If the law is not enforced impartially, the public may believe that your leadership is protecting one political party. Justice must be done, every person responsible for violence should be held accountable according to the law. Iree óò”
However, another Facebook user, Oluwasegun Ajibola Fawale, offered a different perspective, urging Governor Adeleke’s aide to direct the enquiry to Accord chieftain, Apata, regarding the identity of the armed men. Fawale wrote that the men were wearing the same uniform as those seen with Apata and suggested that he should be asked who they were.
He wrote, “Same uniform with the ones in the uniform above, let’s ask Apata who they are.”
Also reacting, Oyediran Adebayo disagreed with claims that the men were police officers. He stated that they were licensed private security guards, adding that some political leaders also engage their services.
Adebayo further claimed that musician Davido equally moves around with the same category of security personnel.
He said, “They are private security guards with registered license. At least, some of your leaders are hiring them, even, Davido dey carry dem all around.They are not police officers.”
See the screenshot of the posts below:
