The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has alleged that the Osun State Government House is being used to harbour criminal suspects wanted by the police, claiming that intelligence reports indicate some fugitives are taking refuge within the premises.
According to the IGP, the Commissioner of Police in Osun State had briefed him that some criminal suspects being sought by the police were allegedly taking refuge in the Government House.
He added that the allegations were not limited to one political party, noting that intelligence reports indicated that political parties in the state were shielding criminals from arrest and prosecution.
The IGP made the allegations on Friday during a meeting with Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke and other key stakeholders in Osogbo as part of efforts to curb rising political violence ahead of the state’s governorship election scheduled for August 15.
Speaking during the meeting, the IGP acknowledged the ongoing disagreement between the governor and the state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, but said the police commissioner had also presented his side of the issue.
“I’ve heard complaints from Osun State, and I’m aware that you’re not happy with the Commissioner of Police, but he too has briefed me,” the IGP said.
“The Commissioner said suspected criminals he is looking for are hibernating (hiding) in the Osun State Government House.
“If that is true, why should suspects be in a Government House? I told him that, as the police officer in charge, there should be a proper way to go about it.”
Responding to the allegations, Governor Adeleke denied harbouring or shielding criminals and insisted that he does not condone criminality.
He urged security agencies to arrest anyone found guilty of committing an offence, regardless of their relationship to him.
“If you see any of my people who committed a crime, arrest them. If it is my son who committed a crime, arrest him and let him learn his lesson. That is what I am saying in front of the IGP,” the governor said.