The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has raised concerns over an alleged directive by the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, ordering officers to adopt a shoot-on-sight approach against people found at local government council premises.
Egbedun described the alleged order as disturbing and unacceptable, warning that political disagreements must not be allowed to result in the loss of innocent lives.
The Speaker made his position known in a statement issued on Tuesday by his Chief Press Secretary, Olamide Tiamiyu. He stressed that the primary responsibility of the police is to protect lives and property and uphold the law.
According to Egbedun, any instruction that permits security personnel to shoot citizens without following due process would pose a serious threat to fundamental human rights and democratic principles.
He said Osun had traditionally been regarded as a peaceful state and warned against allowing political tensions surrounding the local government crisis to create an atmosphere of violence.
The Speaker also referred to earlier allegations of a “killer squad” within the police, noting that although the Inspector-General of Police had denied such claims, concerns about alleged excessive use of force and unlawful arrests had continued to emerge.
Egbedun called for an immediate and transparent investigation into the alleged directive attributed to CP Gotan. He also asked the Inspector-General of Police to clarify the operational instructions currently guiding police formations in Osun State.
The lawmaker further cautioned against using the police for political intimidation, insisting that officers must serve the Constitution and the Nigerian people rather than political interests.
He urged security authorities to handle genuine security concerns at local government facilities within the limits of the law and respect citizens’ rights.
Egbedun also appealed to civil society organisations, journalists, human-rights groups and members of the public to remain vigilant and document any alleged abuses by security personnel.
He warned that any death resulting from unlawful police action should attract accountability, regardless of the status of those responsible.
The Speaker’s comments come amid a prolonged dispute over control of local government secretariats in Osun State involving rival political factions. The controversy has intensified following the August 15, 2026 governorship election, which was won by Governor Ademola Adeleke.
Egbedun urged the police leadership to de-escalate tensions and ensure that all operations in the state are conducted in accordance with the Constitution and existing laws.
