Osun State Government has raised the alarm over what it described as “police impunity” following a reported clash between operatives of the State Police Command and Nigerian Navy personnel in Ile-Ife on Sunday.

In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the state government called on President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, the National Security Adviser, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, and the diplomatic community to intervene to prevent further breakdown of law and order in the state.

According to the government, trouble started when Navy personnel stationed in Ile-Ife responded to a distress call from residents of the Mayfair area and arrested five suspected hoodlums allegedly led by one “Asiri Eniba.”

The statement alleged that the suspects were attempting to take over motor parks in the state. It added that upon learning of the arrest, the Commissioner of Police, Osun Command, contacted the Navy Commandant to release the suspects.

When the Navy Commandant reportedly said he would seek approval from higher authority before releasing them, the government alleged that the CP deployed four truckloads of mobile policemen who teargassed naval personnel and forcefully freed the suspects.

“This is a bizarre situation, and impunity carried too far,” the statement said. “Osun State Government is therefore calling on Mr President, who is the father of the Nation, to wade into Osun matters before it degenerates further.”

The government also called on the NSA and the diplomatic community to consider visa bans for police officials allegedly aiding political violence in the state. It noted that while the five suspects were freed, the police did not succeed in retrieving five pump-action rifles allegedly recovered from them by the Navy.

In a swift reaction, the Osun State Police Command denied the allegation of attacking naval personnel, saying its intervention was to restore peace.

In a press statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the Command said it received credible information that suspected thugs had gathered at Mayfair Garage in Ile-Ife and were causing a disturbance.

“Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police immediately directed the deployment of police operatives to the area to prevent further escalation and restore normalcy,” the statement said.

“The situation was brought under control through the use of minimal and proportionate force, while ensuring that the safety of members of the public and the protection of lives and property remained paramount.”

The alleged incident has heightened tension in Ile-Ife ahead of the August 16 governorship election in Osun State, with stakeholders calling for calm and for security agencies to work together to ensure a peaceful poll. (TRIBUNE)

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