The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has accused the Accord Party and the All Progressives Congress (APC) of harbouring criminals in Osun State ahead of the state’s governorship election.
Disu made the allegation while addressing the state governor, Ademola Adeleke, at the Osun Government House in Osogbo on Friday.
The police chief had paid a courtesy visit to Adeleke amid the spate of political violence which had led to multiple deaths in the state ahead of the August governorship election.
In his address, Disu briefed the governor about his meeting with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, whom Adeleke had largely accused of compromise.
The IGP disclosed that the commissioner in his briefing alleged presence of some suspected thugs affiliated to the Accord Party within the government house.
He also alleged the hibernation of some suspects by APC leaders in the state.
The IGP questioned Adeleke over the allegation.
“I’ve heard that you are not happy and some people are not happy with the Commissioner of Police for this reason and that reason.
“He too has briefed me. He briefed me that some suspect he is looking for are hibernating in the government house.
“If that is true, why should suspects be in government house? I told him that as a police officer in charge that he has a way of going about that.
“And I’ve heard that this party and that party are hibernating suspected criminals.” Disu said.
Adeleke, in a statement issued after the meeting, disclosed charging the IGP to arrest anyone found culpable of unrest in the state.
“During our meeting, I reaffirmed my administration’s zero tolerance for violence, thuggery, and all forms of electoral misconduct.
“I made it clear that anyone found culpable, regardless of status or political affiliation, must be arrested and made to face the full weight of the law.
“I am encouraged by the assurance of the Inspector-General of Police that the forthcoming election will be peaceful and that the Nigeria Police Force will remain professional, impartial, and apolitical before, during, and after the election.
“I equally reaffirmed my administration’s commitment to working with all security agencies to ensure a peaceful, free, and credible electoral process in Osun State.” He wrote.