Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has called for the arrest and prosecution of suspected political thugs involved in violent attacks across the state, insisting that those responsible must be brought to justice.

Adeleke also renewed his call for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, accusing him of failing to act impartially in tackling political violence.

The governor made the remarks while receiving the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of the ICT Department, Force Headquarters, Adegoke Fayoade, at the Government House in Osogbo, according to a statement issued by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed.

Also present at the meeting were the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone XI, Akinyele Fasuba, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police.

Adeleke alleged that the negligence and partisanship of some police officers had worsened political violence in the state, claiming that some officers were collaborating with political thugs.

He expressed concern over the failure to arrest suspects linked to the recent killings of Eluyera in Ikire, Ezekiel in Ilobu and Aderogba in Esa-Oke.

The governor also alleged that armed political thugs had attacked residents and vandalised Accord Party billboards without any arrests being made.

“We have recorded three unresolved political murders in the last few weeks… There has been no single arrest,” Adeleke said, adding that the police command had failed to discharge its responsibilities fairly.

Responding, Fayoade said the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had directed the Assistant Inspector-General of Police and the Commissioner of Police to ensure that all acts of violence, murder and brigandage were thoroughly investigated.

He assured the governor that anyone found culpable would be arrested and prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The DIG also pledged that the forthcoming Osun governorship election would be conducted in a peaceful atmosphere, noting that the police would remain neutral and enforce the law without bias.

“We are not going to allow anybody to violate the law of the land and cause any havoc or uneasiness in the state,” Fayoade said.