The Osun Police Command has committed to take all lawful measures to prevent any type of protest under whatever pretense, particularly during this electioneering period in the state.
On Tuesday, the state’s Commissioner of Police, Wale Olokode, stated that the command has received information that some groups of individuals are going to protest in the state.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokeswoman, SP Yemisi Opalola, the police chief warned people or groups plotting such in the state, and urged parents and guardians to advise their children and wards to remain out of trouble during this election season.
He warned, “individual or group of individuals that are planning such in the state and their sponsor(s) jettison the plan or any of such action(s) forthwith because the Command frowns at any form of protest under any guise, especially this electioneering period in the state and is fully prepared to use all legitimate means to avert such intending protest.”
While guaranteeing security on a level playing ground for all political parties, politicians and all the eligible electorates to exercise their franchise from the police and other security agencies, Olokode vowed that the security agency will not hesitate to deal with anyone or group of persons attempting to foment trouble and in the process disrupt the smooth conduct of the elections decisively and within the ambit of the law.
“War-mongers, troublemakers, persons, group or groups intending or planning to cause, create or execute any act of violence before, during and after the primary/gubernatorial elections should, in their own interest, leave the state quietly and peacefully.
“They should not allow themselves to be used by any vicious politicians to cause a crisis in the State as the command will not tolerate any kind of thuggery, gangsterism and hooliganism.
“Though all allegations and counter-allegations are not unexpected, it is pertinent to state clearly here, that the police is apolitical, and we will discharge our duties without bias or favour to any person or persons regardless of their political affiliation,” the statement read.