The Osun State Police Command has denied issuing any shoot on sight order during the state’s August 15 governorship election and has challenged House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Olumide Egbedun to produce evidence supporting the claim.
Speaking on behalf of Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi said no officer under the command was ever instructed to shoot anyone found on local government council premises, calling the allegation false and damaging to the force’s reputation given the professional conduct of officers during the election. The command said it would not let the claim distract from its duty to protect lives and property and maintain order across the state.
The dispute followed a statement from Egbedun expressing alarm over reports that the commissioner had ordered a shoot on sight approach toward people found on council premises, which he called unacceptable in a democracy and asked the Inspector General of Police to investigate. Police maintain no such directive exists and say their personnel showed discipline and restraint before, during and after the election, helping keep the process peaceful.
