Osun State Vows No Shield for Killers Amid Rising Violence, Governor's Aide Affirms

The Osun State Governor's Special Adviser on Security Matters, Samuel Ojo, has unequivocally stated that the administration of Governor Adeleke will not provide cover for anyone found to be involved in the recent increase in violent criminal activities within the state. Speaking to our correspondent in Osogbo via a telephone interview on Wednesday, Ojo refuted claims that the government was protecting individuals named as masterminds behind the killing of Olalekan Oyeyemi.

Oyeyemi was reportedly murdered during an ongoing leadership conflict within the state chapter of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW). A viral video featured two NURTW leaders, Gbedegesin and Kareem Akeem, who alleged that Oyeyemi had been chosen as the next Osun State NURTW chairman. They claimed this decision followed an endorsement from the governor during a meeting between union leaders and the state Commissioner for Transportation, Sesan Oyedele, last Sunday. These leaders maintained that Oyeyemi's death was a consequence of dissatisfaction among some union members regarding the government's alleged plan to appoint him as the new state chairman.

However, Commissioner Sesan Oyedele, in an interview with The PUNCH, dismissed the notion of government endorsement for Oyeyemi's appointment as Osun NURTW state chairman. He clarified that the union leaders at the said meeting had merely informed him of their intention to make the deceased their new leader.

Addressing the state's escalating insecurity, marked by approximately five fatalities from cult attacks and the public transportation union's leadership dispute, Ojo assured that the state government, alongside security agencies, would intensify efforts to restore peace and order. He disclosed that an emergency state security meeting took place on Wednesday, emphasizing that every necessary step would be taken to apprehend and prosecute those responsible for violent crimes.

Ojo further elaborated, stating, “It was as a result of the serial killings that the governor of the state called for an emergency meeting of all the Service Commanders today (Wednesday), and the meeting was anchored by the Deputy Governor, Prince Kola Adewusi.” He confirmed the presence of all Service Commanders, including the Commissioner of Police, the Director of DSS, the newly deployed Army General, Brigadier General Momo, and the heads of NDLEA, Immigration, Corrections, Civil Defence, and Amotekun. Additionally, senior cabinet members like the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney General, Jimi Bada, and the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, were in attendance. “The meeting focused on the killings that must be stopped immediately, and the Service Commanders assured the State Governor, who was ably represented by his deputy, Prince Kola Adewusi, that there won’t be any further loss of life and that the peaceful atmosphere that we have been enjoying in the state before the election will return,” Ojo affirmed.

When questioned about allegations that the state government was shielding those implicated in Oyeyemi’s murder, the Special Adviser on Security reiterated, “The state government is not shielding anyone. The governor had already said that no one should be spared in the investigation, and that the police and the DSS should investigate the case thoroughly and fish out the killers of those people. The law must take its course against them.” He added that the Commissioner of Police is working diligently with other Service Commanders to achieve this.

According to a report by The PUNCH, at least five individuals have lost their lives between August 24 and September 15 in Ikire, Ile-Ife, and Osogbo due to conflicts stemming from motor park control and cult-related rivalries.