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The Nigeria Police Force has confirmed 30 cases of alleged politically motivated killings ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State, authorities disclosed on Tuesday.
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, revealed this during an appearance on Channels Television.
“From the complaints received, we cannot rule out the involvement of some politicians in the killings,” Iniedu said.
He said a few arrests had been made, with some suspects paraded and a number already charged in court.
Iniedu declined to provide further details, saying doing so would amount to subjudice and media trial, but assured that details would be made available upon completion of investigations.
The police would never be part of any cover-up, and would not shield anyone involved in a crime, Iniedu said in response to allegations of police complicity in the political crisis.
“It is logical that when an election is coming up, there will be accusative fingers pointed by the gladiators, particularly against the police,” he said.
“But I can assure you that the Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has given a marching order that any suspected criminal must be tracked, arrested and prosecuted,” he added.
Iniedu recalled that the IGP recently visited Osogbo to address escalating political tensions and pre-election violence, meeting with Governor Ademola Adeleke and other stakeholders.
“The posture of the IGP is that we will not tolerate killings and any form of breakdown of law and order,” Iniedu said, adding that the IGP also warned parents to caution their children against being used as tools to settle political scores.
“The IGP also warned parents to caution their children and wards to shun violence and desist from being used as tools to settle political scores,” he said.
On the allegation of partisanship against the State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, Iniedu said the IGP had met with the CP and warned against such accusations.
He said specialised units, drones and helicopters had been deployed to Osun, with improved intelligence collaboration with sister agencies.
The Nigeria Police Force has over 400,000 active officers across the country, the spokesperson said.
