Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has said he will not shield anyone involved in criminal activities, including members of his family.
Adeleke stated this on Friday while receiving the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a courtesy visit to the Government House in Osogbo, the state capital.
Naijaonpoint reports that the governor was responding to allegations reportedly raised by the IGP that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, had informed him that some criminal suspects being sought by the police were allegedly taking refuge in the Government House.
Reacting to the allegation, Adeleke denied protecting criminals and challenged security agencies to arrest anyone found culpable.
He said his administration would not condone criminality, regardless of the status or relationship of those involved.
“If you see any of my people that committed a crime, arrest them. If it is my son who committed a crime, arrest him, let him learn his lesson, and that is what I am saying in front of the IGP,” Adeleke said.
The governor, however, accused some police officers of playing “games” in the discharge of their duties.
He cited the alleged transfer of a police officer who, according to him, arrested a suspect linked to the killing of a 14-year-old boy in Ilobu.
“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 transferred the officer,” Adeleke said.
Adeleke commended the IGP for pledging to address indiscipline within the Nigeria Police Force.
He urged police officers in the state to remain professional, fair and impartial in carrying out their duties.
“I am glad the Inspector General of Police is here today, and he has said it openly that he will not tolerate any act of indiscipline, and he has given you a warning that you will not tolerate crime. That is why I am happy,” he said.
The governor added that his administration was ready to continue working with the police, provided officers performed their duties properly.
“If you change tomorrow, I will continue to cooperate with the police. Police is our friend. We are not fighting the police, but you have to do right,” Adeleke added.
