Amid the ongoing violence in Osun State, the Nigeria Police Force has condemned incidents and deployed additional tactical squads to restore peace in the state......CONTINUE READING THE ARTICLE FROM THE SOURCE>>>>>
There were pockets of violence in some local governments on Monday as members of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and All Progressives Congress (APC) engaged in skirmishes over control of local government secretariats.
The crisis reportedly broke out when PDP members were trying to resist APC members attempting to gain entrance into the premises.
The situation resulted in sporadic gunshots, while passers-by scampered for safety.
There had been crisis between APC and PDP over the Court of Appeal judgement in respect of the sacked APC council chairmen and councillors.
While the PDP claimed that the February 10 judgment of the Court of Appeal, Akure, did not reinstate the sacked APC chairmen and councillors elected in 2022, the APC insisted on their return.
Governor Ademola Adeleke, on Sunday, alleged that members of the APC were planning to forcefully take over the 30 local government secretariats in the state.
Adeleke, while addressing a news conference, insisted that the council chairmen and councillors were sacked by the Federal High Court in Osogbo in two separate judgements.
The governor stressed that the Court of Appeal judgment did not order the reinstatement of the sacked chairmen and councillors.
But the APC chairman in the state, Tajudeen Lawal, in another press conference, asked the governor to comply with the court order and give protection to the reinstated council chairmen and councillors.
Intervening on Monday, the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, ordered the deployment of additional tactical squads to Osun State to restore law and order.
The IGP warned those who threaten the peace and stability of the state that the police will not tolerate any act of lawlessness, hooliganism and anarchy in the state.
“The perpetrators of these criminal acts will be fished out and be caused to face the consequences of their unwarranted ill-fated acts. Citizens must remain calm as normalcy is being restored.
“Osun indigenes, leaders, and stakeholders are hereby urged to shun violence and go about their legitimate businesses,” IGP said in a statement by the Force PRO, Muyiwa Adejobi.
The police noted that the judiciary remains the ultimate arbiter of all electoral disputes and political actors must respect and abide by its rulings, upholding the rule of law and democratic principles.
The police added that the situation will be closely monitored, and measures will be enforced to ensure a safe environment for all residents.