Ademola Adeleke, Governor of Osun State, has warned that security forces should arrest anyone engaging in illegal acts, including members of his family.
Governor Adeleke dismissed reports that criminal suspects were being held at the Government House in Osogbo.
The governor made the statements on Friday when receiving the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, during a courtesy visit to Government House, following reports that certain wanted individuals were allegedly taking refuge on the grounds.
Governor Adeleke denied that his administration was shielding criminals, insisting that anyone found guilty of an offence should face the consequences, regardless of their relationship with him.
“If you see any of my people who have committed a crime, arrest them.” If my son committed a crime, arrest him and let him learn his lesson, as I have told the IGP,” the governor added.
Adeleke, on the other hand, accused some police officers of failing to carry out their responsibilities correctly, citing the purported transfer of an officer who arrested a suspect in the killing of a 14-year-old child 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,” he replied.
The governor praised the Inspector-General for publicly vowing to fight indiscipline in the Nigeria Police Force and asked personnel to be professional and impartial in carrying out their duties.
“I’m delighted the Inspector General of Police is here today; he has stated unequivocally that he will not accept any act of indiscipline, and he has warned you that you will not tolerate criminality. That is why I’m glad.
“If you change tomorrow, I will continue to work with the police. The police are our friends. We are not battling the cops, but you must do the right thing,” he stated.
Earlier, the Inspector-General revealed that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, had informed him that some of the criminals wanted by the police were purportedly hiding in the Government House.
Addressing the governor, Disu stated that he had also received complaints from other sources about the performance of the Osun State Commissioner of Police.
“If I tell you, sir, that I have not received any complaints, I have lied, and I will explain everything to you one by one, sir.