OSOGBO — Osun State Governor, Senator Ademola Adeleke, on Friday declared that he would never shield criminals, daring security agencies to arrest anyone found culpable of any offence, including his own son, as he pushed back against allegations that his administration was harbouring criminal suspects.

The governor made the declaration while receiving the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Government House, Osogbo, amid rising political tension and security concerns in the state.

The development followed claims by the Inspector-General that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had briefed him on allegations that some criminal suspects were allegedly being sheltered within the Government House and protected from arrest.

Responding to the allegation, Adeleke emphatically denied shielding anyone involved in criminality, insisting that nobody, irrespective of status or relationship, should be spared if found to have committed any offence.

“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 here before the Inspector-General of Police,” the governor declared.

While reaffirming his administration’s commitment to supporting law enforcement agencies, Adeleke accused the Osun State Police Command of failing to maintain neutrality, alleging that some of its actions had created public distrust.

The governor cited the case of a police officer who allegedly arrested a suspect linked to the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, claiming that the officer was subsequently transferred despite carrying out his duty in line with the directive of the Inspector-General.

“But for you to be playing all these games and everything like that, the person that they killed, a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu, because the police officer did a good job under the directive of the Inspector-General of Police and arrested the suspect that killed the boy, you transfer the officer,” Adeleke said.

He maintained that such actions could undermine public confidence in the police and urged the leadership of the force to ensure professionalism, fairness and impartiality in the discharge of its constitutional responsibilities.

Adeleke, however, welcomed the Inspector-General’s assurance that indiscipline and misconduct within the Nigeria Police Force would not be tolerated, expressing confidence that the force would uphold justice without fear or favour.

“I am glad the Inspector-General of Police is here today, and he has said openly that he will not tolerate any act of indiscipline and that crime will not be condoned. That is why I am happy,” he said.

The governor stressed that his administration would continue to cooperate with the police in maintaining law and order across the state, provided officers remained neutral and acted strictly within the confines of the law.

“If you change tomorrow, I will continue to cooperate with the police. The police are our friends. We are not fighting the police, but you have to do what is right,” Adeleke added.

The exchange between the governor and the Inspector-General comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State ahead of the 2026 governorship election, with security remaining a major concern among stakeholders.