BY TIMOTHY AGBOR, OSOGBO
The Osun State Commissioner of Police, Olawale Olokode, has denied allegation that he was being used by the state governor, Gboyega Oyetola, to ignore petitions over attacks on a group in the ruling All Progressives Congress, The Osun Progressives, loyal to a former governor and incumbent Minister of Interior, Rauf Aregbesola.
Olokode said the allegation was an attempt to malign his personality and bring the police command into disrepute.
Recall that TOP, during a press conference, last week, after the attack on Oranmiyan House, the campaign office of Aregbesola by some unknown gunmen suspected to be political thugs, had petitioned the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba, to redeploy the Osun State Commissioner of Police for allegedly taking side in the crisis within the APC, in the state.
Specifically, the factional Chairman of the party, Rasaq Salinsile, accused Olokode of being used by Governor Oyetola to turn blind eyes to several attacks on the loyalists of Aregbesola in some parts of the state.
However, addressing a press conference on Sunday in his office in Osogbo, Olokode described the allegations leveled against him as fallacies and far from the truth, warning that if they are not stopped, the command would not hesitate to institute legal action against the political group.
The police boss said, “Osun State Police Command has not and will not be an instrument of any political party as we remain independent and work according to the rules and regulations guiding the Nigerian Police Force. I, as the Commissioner of Police in the state, have not derailed in my job and I will never do. I therefore want to say that all allegations against me, my personality and the command are fallacies and far from the truth.
“I see the petition as a deliberate attempt to malign my name and bring disrepute to the command under me and it is unfortunate. I therefore wish to say that, if this does not stop, I, and the command will not hesitate to take legal action against all forms of lies and unfounded allegations from any corner.
“I wish to categorically state that democracy cannot thrive in the atmosphere of chaos and violence. There should be cordial relationships between the police, other security agencies, the media and all political parties who should perform their roles as expected. I urge all our political parties and different groups to eschew violence and focus on the way to move the country forward.
“Osun Police Command under my watch will not tolerate any act that can throw away the peace of the State. We will continue, not only to respond to issues, but be proactive in tackling any matter that can jeopardise the peace of the state. We’re ever ready to continue working with all stakeholders to prevent breakdown of laws and orders. We want to warn politicians to do their politics without dragging the Force into it.”
Olokode added that, “The Osun State Police Command is never and will never be an appendage of any political party or group and our actions and activities have shown such. We have been professional in the discharge of our duties by upholding our constitutional mandates as a Force. At no point have we deviated and we will never do at any time.”
“I wish to state that we have been working on every petition received. The latest one that has to do with the SUBEB Chairman came to my knowledge recently, and our State Criminal Investigation Department under a Deputy Commissioner is seriously working on it. The petitioners came a couple of days ago, and they were assured of our readiness to get to the root of the matter.
“On the allegations of dehumanization, I wish to state that it has never been in my character, and those who know me can testify that I have never engaged in such. No amount of inducement can make me change my character.
“It is also pertinent to state that the recent attack on some APC members in Ikirun, Ifelodun local government was thoroughly investigated, and those suspected to be behind the crime were arrested. Among those arrested are two members of the TOP group, one from IleriOluwa and two persons who were confirmed not to be politicians at all. They were all charged to court, and at no point did my office interfere with the investigation, so no persecution or dehumanization at any point.
“To continue maintaining fairness, all Area Commanders, Departmental Heads, Tactical Commanders, and Divisional Police Officers are put on their toes. This was done to ensure that the Command is not only doing the needful but also showing fairness to all.”
