An Abuja-based lawyer, Mr Pelumi Olajengbesi, has petitioned the Inspector-General of Police (I-G),Mr Tunji Disu, seeking urgent intervention to halt the spate of killings in Osun ahead of the Aug.15 governorship election.
Olajengbesi, in the petition he submitted on Thursday at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, expressed concern over the recurring incidents of violence and urged the police authorities to deploy tactical personnel to the state to restore peace and protect innocent residents.
He said the killings, which he alleged were politically motivated, posed a serious threat to public safety, democratic governance and the credibility of the forthcoming governorship election.
The lawyer alleged that election-related violence in the state had resulted in loss of lives, injuries to several citizens, destruction of property and widespread fear across various communities.
He sought a comprehensive investigation into all reported cases of political violence, the arrest and prosecution of those responsible, irrespective of political affiliation, and the deployment of additional police personnel to identified flashpoints.
He also sought a review of the state’s security architecture to guarantee peaceful elections and directives to all police formations in Osun to enforce the law impartially throughout the electoral period.
Olajengbesi said he wrote the petition in his capacity as a legal practitioner, concerned citizen and spokesperson of the Imole Campaign Council (TICC).
He said the petition was intended to draw the attention of the police leadership to what he described as a deteriorating security situation and an alarming pattern of political violence in the state.
“The purpose of this petition is not merely to complain about political developments, but to bring to your attention a disturbing pattern of election-related violence which has resulted in the loss of innocent lives, serious injuries to several citizens, destruction of property and widespread fear across various communities in Osun,” he said.
Olajengbesi noted that the right to life remained the most fundamental right guaranteed under the 1999 Constitution and stressed that the Nigeria Police Force had a constitutional duty to protect lives and property and maintain public order.
He alleged that incidents of political violence had increased in recent months, citing the killing of 14-year-old Ezekiel Olapade in Ilobu, Irepodun Local Government Area, as one of the most tragic cases.
According to him, the incident forms part of a broader pattern of violent occurrences affecting several local government areas of the state.
He said schedules attached to the petition contained names of victims, dates and locations of incidents, witness statements, photographs, videos, media publications and other documentary materials.
“These annexures provide a chronology of incidents that, taken together, raise serious concerns about the prevailing security situation in Osun,” he said.
Olajengbesi expressed concern over what he described as declining public confidence in the ability of law enforcement agencies to prevent political violence and ensure accountability.
“Every incident that goes without a prompt, transparent and effective response encourages impunity and undermines confidence in democratic institutions,” he said.
He urged the police authorities to act decisively, stressing that the forthcoming governorship election should not be conducted in an atmosphere of fear.
“Elections should be decided by the freely expressed will of the people through the ballot and not by intimidation, violence or bloodshed.
“I respectfully urge your office to treat this petition with the urgency it deserves.
“The preservation of lives, the credibility of Nigeria’s democracy and public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force require decisive and timely intervention,” he said. (NAN) (www.nannews.ng)