Osun state council of Nigeria Union of Journalists has advocated immediate redeployment of the State Commissioner of Police, Mr Olawale Olokode.
This is sequel upon the alleged shooting of the Nation’s newspaper correspondent in Osun state, Mr Toba Adedeji by men of the Osun state police command in osogbo.
Toba Adedeji was shot while covering protest by members of family of a boy who was allegedly killed in cold blood by policemen in the State in April this year.
In a statement jointly issued by the Chairman of the Council, Mr Wasiu Ajadosu and Secretary, Mr Bukola Elufadejin, the council gives the police seven days ultimatum to redeploy Mr Olokode, on the grounds of gross indiscipline and unprofessional conduct of the men and officers of the command under his supervision.
The statement further calls on the Inspector General of Police, Usman Baba Alkali, to take this urgent step in order to safe the state from incessant unrest and crisis due to lackadaisical approach to sensitive issues of security by the leadership of the command
The Osun council of NUJ describes the action of the officers of the command as unfortunate, barbaric, uncivilized and demeaning, especially in a democratic environment where citizens possess the rights to ventilate their grievances through peaceful protest.
The council which noted that over five members of the union had been attacked by the police in the last three months said it would no longer condole harassment and intimidation of its members.
Oyetola condemns shooting of Osun Journalist
Osun state governor, Mr Adegboyega Oyetola, has condemned the shooting of the Nation’s Newspaper correspondent, Toba Adedeji and another citizen by some trigger-happy police officers at Olaiya, Osogbo, the State capital today.
Adedeji and the yet-to-be-identified citizen were reportedly shot by some overzealous policemen who were trying to disperse a group of people who had gathered to mourn the death of Abiola Afolabi, who was allegedly killed by police officers last month.
In a statement by the governor’s Chief Press Secretary, Mr Ismail Omipidan, the governor.said shooting at unarmed citizens was completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable, adding that the sad incident could have been avoided.
He said that it was unfortunate that the sad incident occurred while the citizens were mourning the death of a loved one.
Governor Oyetola noted that such unlawful act by the police could aggravate an already- tensed situation that could lead to breakdown of law and order in the State.
He, therefore, called for the thorough investigation of the incident, with a view to ensuring that the culprits are decisively dealt with in accordance with the laws of the land.
“Shooting at journalists and unarmed citizen is completely unacceptable, irresponsible and condemnable. The police officers have no justification for this unfortunate and unlawful act. They could have employed other means rather than resorting to deadly force to disperse the group.
“The frequency of these unfortunate and avoidable provocative incidents is a source of concern to us, as a government. I have, therefore, directed the State Commissioner of Police to investigate the Tuesday shooting incident and ensure that his officers who are involved in it are identified and punished in accordance with extant regulations and law.
“We must ensure that this kind of sad and barbaric incident does not occur again in our State.
“I wish the Nation Newspaper correspondent, Adedeji, and the other citizen whom I learnt are presently receiving treatment at the hospital, speedy recovery. I am also calling on residents of Osun to remain calm and not take the law into their own hands. I
The governnor assured that the matter will be pursued to a logical conclusion and the erring officers will be dealt with accordingly.