The Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA), has expressed serious concerns over the return of era of lawlessness, thuggery, maiming, hooliganism and gross violation of the law in Osun State.
The concerned advocacy group raised the alarm over what it described as an impending “breakdown of law and order” being perpetrated under the current administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke, in the State.
This is just as the Association alerted the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba, against the looming danger and warned that he shouldn’t take any action that would worsen the security situation in the state through the redeployment of the current Commissioner of Police (CP) in the state, Mr Faleye Olaleye.
The advocacy group which sounded the warning in Abuja, at a press briefing to commemorate the 2022 International Human Rights Day, called on the IGP to rescind his decision to post one CP Patrick Longe to Osun, in order to avoid a breakdown of law and order, as from all indications, he is drafted to the State for a hatchet mission.
HURIWA attributed the return of palpable violence pervading in Osun to the recent transition from the administration of former Governor Adegboyega Oyetola of the All Progressives Congress (APC) to that of Governor Ademola Adeleke of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).
The National Coordinator of HURIWA, Comrade Emmanuel Onwubiko, said Osun which was known for peace and Omoluabi ethos, under the previous administration, suddenly became a theatre of war as thugs freely carried guns and brandish cutlasses and other dangerous weapons day and night, harassing and attacking innocent citizens.
“After the change of government in Osun State on Sunday, the state that was known to be very peaceful, suddenly became a theatre of war as thugs freely carried guns, cutlasses and other dangerous weapons, chasing innocent citizens around.
“By the next day, these thugs went round the state, especially the motor parks, shooting sporadically, maiming many for life and killing a few”, he said.
While commending the newly redeployed Commissioner of Police in the State, CP Olaleye for swinging into action and for his high sense of commitment, diligence and professionalism at salvaging the situation from degenerating, HURIWA expressed disappointment in the clandestine moves of the State to seek for the redeployment of Olaleye.
HURIWA claimed that the state government which appeared uncomfortable with Olaleye’s actions immediately began to plot his removal.
“Today, we hear that CP Olaleye has been transferred for refusing to do their bidding. Curiously, the person being posted, one CP Patrick Longe, was recommended by another CP from Ede, the country home of the new governor. We equally hear that CP Longe had gone ahead to pledge allegiance to some power brokers in the State.
“To show that even the IGP, Usman Baba, is not pleased with the posting, he sent out a signal posting the new CP, but said is subject to approval by the Police Service Commission,” Onwubiko said.
The advocacy group wondered how IGP would subject the redeployment of a police personnel to the approval of the Police Service Commission, adding that the Commission only has power on promotion and disciplinary issues, while redeployment is at the discretion of the IGP.
“To this end, therefore, we call on the IGP to rescind his decision to post CP Longe to Osun State to avoid a breakdown of law and order, as from all indications, he is drafted to the State for a hatchet mission.
“Osun needs a neutral and highly professional Commissioner of Police who is uncompromisingly committed to the maintenance of law and order no matter whose ox is gored.
“They should also let Nigerians know CP Faleye’s offence to warrant his removal after just two months as Commissioner of Police in Osun State and despite the huge commendations by the good people of Osun for his professionalism.
“In any case, given the crisis of confidence that has already been brewed, the world is now put on notice that the building tension in Osun is avoidable and they now know whom to hold responsible in the event of any breakdown of law and order should the IGP insist on foisting CP Patrick on Longe on Osun,” the group added.
