The All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has petitioned the National Security Adviser (NSA) to President Goodluck Jonathan, Sambo Dasuki, calling his attention to a sudden increase in security threats in Ekiti State shortly after Governor Ayodele Fayose was declared winner of the June 21, 2014 governorship election.

In a petition by the State Chairman of APC, Chief Jide Awe, the party noted that‎ even though there were pockets of security breaches in the state during electioneering campaigns, including the tear-gassing of former Governor Kayode Fayemi by the police, the situation degenerated when Fayose allegedly led thugs to the court to beat up the judges and court records in the Chief Judge’s office torn. He added that the situation had worsened after his inauguration.

The petition copied to the President, Inspector General of Police, Director General of DSS, Ekiti State Director of DSS and Ekiti State Commissioner of Police‎ alleged a leap in insecurity shortly after “Fayose made a special request for redeployment to Ekiti State the policemen that formed the nucleus of a killer squad in Ekiti State between 2003 and 2006 as confirmed by the Presidential Security Panel Report on Political Killings in Ekiti State.”

The petition reads in part: “We are worried by the antecedents of these police officers when they served Governor Fayose between 2003 and 2006. Our fear is not without basis. A cursory look at the ‘Report of the Presidential Security Panel Investigation of Killings in Ekiti‎’ constituted by President Olusegun Obasanjo in 2005 succinctly leads us to the present fear, as state-sponsored terrorism rears its head again with particular reference to the same officers, who were indicted in that report and who have been recalled by Governor Fayose to his service in Ekiti State.”

The party noted in particular that Fayose’s former Chief Security Officer, Mr. Timothy Gbenga Joseph, had been recalled to the service of the governor and now serves as his current Aide De Camp (ADC).

The party also called Dasuki’s attention to paragraph 49 of the report, quoting: “Subject (Gbenga Timothy Joseph) and others’ roles in the Ifaki killing during a bye-election. Subject and others’ roles in the Democracy Day Walk/clash with the AD (Alliance for Democracy), his role in the attempted killing of Fasuba, his and others’ roles in the planned assassination of Afe Babalola (SAN) and Femi Falana. He is hereby recommended for criminal prosecution and immediate redeployment from the Government House.”

The party said that it is worrisome that after this police officer was transferred out of Ekiti State as recommended, he never faced any criminal prosecution but a “befitting” redeployment to Ekiti State through the governor’s special request to continue the reign of terror in the state.

Awe also listed Usman Shaba and Moses Usman, all mobile policemen, as former members of Fayose’s special squad who are now back in his service.

Specifically, the APC leader listed Shaba as former security aide to Fayose’s wife, and he is currently attached to TK Aluko, Fayose’s close associate, who does not hold any cabinet position to deserve close body protection and who was also indicted in the presidential security panel report.

Another officer is Mopol Moses Usman, Dayo Okondo’s erstwhile bodyguard; who was also indicted by the security report. According to the report, Moses was identified as the officer who shot Olugbenga Jaiyeola in the leg at Ikere-Ekiti on March 15, 2004, leading to the amputation of Gbenga’s leg.

Awe noted that since the arrival of the policemen in Ekiti, the activities of unknown men visiting the homes of APC leaders at nights, particularly APC lawmakers had increased.

However, the Ekiti PDP through the State Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko said it is an irony that Awe, who is standing trial for murder and who ought to be in prison is the one leveling allegations of killing and destruction against others.

He said: “Right thinking Ekiti people and Nigerians as a whole should ask Awe and his APC self-deluding shadow chasers to first account for the over 10 persons they killed in their four years of governance in the state.

“Awe should also let the whole world know why he has become a fugitive, running from justice and seeking to manipulate the system by going as far as Jos, Plateau State to seek kangaroo injunctions.

“The blood of Ayo Jeje and Madam Juliana Adewumi that they shed in Erijiyan-Ekiti on March 31, 2013 is crying for justice and will surely get it.

“Awe should note that the long arm of justice will surely get him anyhow and anywhere, he can only run and hide for a while.”

•Text extracted from a Guardian report. Photo shows Governor Fayose of Ekiti.

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