Governor Ademola Adeleke asks Ibrahim Zungura to rebuild public trust, investigate alleged misconduct and release people he describes as political detainees

Governor Ademola Adeleke of Osun State on Monday, August 24, 2026, urged newly deployed Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Zungura to undertake urgent police reforms, rebuild public confidence and address alleged abuses following weeks of political tension surrounding the state’s August 15 governorship election.

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Adeleke made the demands in Osogbo when Zungura, accompanied by senior officers of the Osun State Police Command, paid a courtesy visit to the governor after assuming duty as the new Commissioner of Police.

The meeting offered an early opportunity for the two sides to reset relations after a tense election period during which Adeleke repeatedly questioned the neutrality of the police command and alleged politically motivated arrests of members of his party.

Zungura, however, struck a conciliatory tone, promising to work with the state government to restore peace and strengthen public confidence in the police.

“I promise to work with the state government for peace and stability of the state. I will be fair to all, and I will prove my commitment in the next few weeks,” Zungura said.

He added that Osun was a peaceful state and that the command would work to resolve outstanding security concerns.

The new commissioner’s arrival follows the redeployment of Ibrahim Gotan, who had been removed from the Osun command amid concerns over the neutrality of the police during the election period.

The Nigeria Police Force subsequently appointed Zungura, who was transferred from the Police Academy in Kano. (Premium Times Nigeria)

Adeleke welcomed the new CP but said the state’s post-election tensions had not been completely resolved.

He urged Zungura to use his tenure to rebuild trust between the police and residents, particularly communities that he said had developed concerns about the impartiality of certain officers and operational units.

The governor also referred to a recent incident in Ikire in which two people were reportedly killed and alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been implicated.

“Based on all details of the attacks, I request immediate commencement of disciplinary action against the DPO. He has become a threat to the people he was posted to protect,” Adeleke said.

The governor’s request formed part of a broader five-point appeal aimed at resetting the relationship between the state government and the police command.

His first demand was for the police to adopt a more professional, impartial and people-oriented approach to policing in the state.

Adeleke also called for closer cooperation between the government and the command, stressing that his administration was seeking no political advantage from the police.

“What we seek is fair policing,” he said.

The governor further called for a reorganisation of police operational units that he alleged had been compromised or had acquired a reputation for political partisanship.

“I know you will be worried that Osun people see certain police units as the home base of APC thugs. There is a need to dissolve many police operational units because they have been compromised,” Adeleke said.

The allegation reflects the depth of mistrust that developed between the state government and sections of the police command during the election campaign.

Earlier in August, Adeleke publicly said he did not trust the police to be neutral and fair ahead of the election, although he expressed confidence in the National Peace Committee’s intervention. (The Guardian Nigeria)

The governor’s fourth request was for the police command to resume full participation in State Security Council meetings.

Adeleke alleged that the predecessor of the new commissioner had not attended a State Security Council meeting since 2024, a situation he said needed to change if security coordination was to improve.

His fifth demand concerned people he described as political detainees, particularly members of the Accord Party.

“I also call for the release of several Accord members arrested and indeterminate as political detainees. Further arrests of our members should also stop,” Adeleke said.

The issue has already generated legal and political controversy. On August 21, human rights lawyer Pelumi Olajengbesi said a court had secured the release of 16 Accord Party members who had spent about 24 hours in police detention following the election.

He also said the court granted unconditional bail to Alaba Popoola, popularly known as Alabama, after 26 days in detention. (Trending News)

Olajengbesi alleged that the 16 members had been arrested after canvassing votes for Adeleke and transported to locations outside Osun for detention. Those allegations have not been established as fact by a court.

The issue of politically motivated arrests had been a recurring point of contention before the election.

In July, Adeleke’s campaign team alleged that more than 86 supporters had been arrested, describing the arrests as politically motivated. (Punch Newspapers)

The governor had also raised broader concerns about political violence and alleged police involvement before the election, while calling on the authorities to ensure impartial policing.

The police and other security agencies, for their part, had maintained that their role was to prevent violence and enforce the law without favour.

The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had earlier directed security personnel to arrest and prosecute perpetrators and sponsors of political violence regardless of their political affiliation. (Osun State Official Website)

Despite the strained relationship, Adeleke said his administration was prepared to support the police command.

“Our government is ready to support police operations without any strings attached. What we seek is fair policing,” he said.

The governor also framed the meeting as an opportunity for reconciliation following the election, which he won for a second term on August 15.

Adeleke had earlier said he bore no grudge against political opponents and described his post-election approach as one of reconciliation.

While receiving his certificate of return on August 19, he also announced a N500 million education scholarship for victims of political violence. (Osun State Official Website)

His latest appeal to Zungura therefore carries both a political and security dimension: restoring confidence in the police while preventing post-election tensions from developing into further violence.

Zungura’s response suggests a willingness to begin that process through cooperation rather than confrontation.

For the new commissioner, the immediate challenge will be to demonstrate that promise through impartial enforcement, stronger engagement with the state government and credible handling of complaints against police personnel.

For Adeleke, the success of that relationship will ultimately be measured by whether residents can once again regard the police command as an institution working for all citizens, irrespective of political affiliation.

“Osun deserves peace. Osun deserves justice. Osun deserves a police command that enjoys the confidence of all citizens, regardless of political affiliation,” Adeleke said.