A civil society group in Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, has called on the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to carry out impartial arrests in the wake of Monday’s deadly crisis in the town, warning that targeting only one political camp will worsen tensions.
The group, under the aegis of Concerned Ikire Citizens, in a statement by its coordinator, Ahmed Oyesiji, said a lasting solution requires the police to go after every actor in the crisis from both the All Progressives Congress and the Accord Party.
The statement came hours after the Osun Police Command paraded four suspects over Monday’s deadly attack in Ikire that left two civilians dead and three police officers injured.
CP Zungura had told journalists that the suspects – Sikiru Ademola Adedeji, Olalere Taiwo, Olalere Ademola, and Bankole Abiodun- were arrested following intelligence and technical tracking.
But Oyesiji, in the statement, argued that limiting arrests to one side will not restore peace.
According to him, “Police should clear thugs from both sides if there will be peace in Ikire, not arresting only Accord members.
“If the police want a lasting solution to the Ikire crisis, every actor in the crisis from both APC and Accord should be arrested,” he said. “We have seen thuggery and violence from both camps over the years. Selective enforcement will only embolden others.”
The group urged the Police Command to expand its investigation, recover all weapons in circulation, and prosecute anyone found culpable regardless of political affiliation.
“As we speak, names of some of these notorious criminals from both parties have been submitted to the Inspector General on Police. They should be declared wanted. Sophisticated weapons that our politicians gave them for the last gubernatorial election should be withdrawn if our people will have peace in Ikire land.
“We are sitting on the keg of gunpowder in Ikire, the atmosphere is not conducive at all. We can’t sleep with our two eyes closed for the fear of what these politicians from both APC and Accord have caused us. Police should perform its responsibility of protecting lives and properties of Ikire residents. This is becoming unbearable”