The Justice and Peace Movement, a pressure group in Osun State, has called on the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, to order the immediate arrest of persons previously declared wanted by the police over alleged acts of violence and other crimes in the state.
The group made the call in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Secretary, Femi Adeshina, following the reported killing of Olalekan Dauda Oyeyemi, popularly known as Emir Ajagungbade, in Ile-Ife on Sunday.
The group said Emir’s death should lead the police and other security agencies to review cases involving people who had earlier been declared wanted.
Adeshina said the circumstances surrounding Emir’s activities before his death had raised questions about the enforcement of police warrants against people with political connections.
The group alleged that Emir was killed by people linked to Nurudeen Alowonle, another political appointee of Governor Ademola Adeleke. It claimed that the incident raised concerns about the relationship between political groups and security enforcement in the state.
The Justice and Peace Movement also referred to a reported clash between rival groups in the Oke Ayepe area of Osogbo during a visit by music star Davido to the palace with his uncle, Governor Adeleke. The group said one person was killed in the clash.
It further alleged that Emir had a close relationship with the governor’s political camp and was often seen in the governor’s convoy during election campaigns.
The group said earlier calls for Emir’s arrest had sometimes been dismissed as politically motivated.
It also referred to a visit by Emir and members of his team to the residence of the Commissioner for Transport as part of his reported campaign to become chairman of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state.
The Osun State APC Governorship Campaign Council has also criticised the killing and called for a fresh investigation into political violence and rival groups allegedly linked to the state government.
The APC campaign council alleged that Emir had faced serious criminal allegations, including murder and terrorism, and was later declared wanted after allegedly jumping bail.
The council further alleged that Emir stayed at the Osun State Government House in Okefia, Osogbo, despite his wanted status. These allegations have not been established in court.
The APC campaign council also raised questions about reported rivalry in the transport sector. It claimed that the state government was considering Emir for the chairmanship of the Osun State Park Management System, a position it said was occupied by Nurudeen Alowonle.
The council alleged that the reported rivalry over the position could have played a role in the events before Emir was killed.
It called on the police to investigate allegations linking Alowonle and Olayemi Ojo, popularly known as Sibi, to the incident and urged their arrest. The allegations against the two men have not been proven in court.
The Justice and Peace Movement also called for continued investigation into what it described as a wider network of political violence in Osun.
The group mentioned Alowonle, Solo Iwara and other persons it said were still on the police wanted list.
Adeshina said the death of one wanted person should not stop the police from pursuing other cases involving people who had been declared wanted.
He urged the police to enforce the law equally, regardless of political affiliation.
The group also referred to a viral video from the Ile-Ife incident. It said an NURTW executive was heard describing Emir as the governor’s preferred candidate for a transport leadership position, while also saying that other people, including Alowonle, were interested in the position.
The Justice and Peace Movement said the claim in the video should be investigated to establish whether there was any connection between political interests, transport unions and violent groups in the state.
The group urged the Inspector-General of Police to ensure that all persons legitimately declared wanted are brought before the law.
It also called for stronger intelligence gathering, recovery of illegal firearms and the dismantling of groups allegedly involved in political violence.
The group appealed to security agencies to protect citizens and members of political parties from further attacks.
It said the recent governorship election had ended and there was no reason for political thuggery, intimidation or violence to continue in Osun State.
The Justice and Peace Movement urged the police to carry out a full investigation into Emir’s death and ensure that anyone found responsible is prosecuted according to the law.
.jpeg)
.png)
No comments:
Post a Comment