Osun State Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has expressed surprise at the open brawl between the personnel of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, and the Nigeria Police Force.
Adeleke urged the two security services to strictly adhere to their codes of operations in the law enforcement process.
Speaking through a statement by his spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed on Saturday in Osogbo, Adeleke revealed that he has convened a meeting of the State Security Council for next week to assess and take action on recent security developments in the state, including the open clash between some policemen and civil defence officials.
The statement added that the Council meeting is to receive briefings from the various security agencies as well as top state officials led by the Deputy Governor, Kola Adewusi, who had intervened in the matter before its current escalation.
It was reported on Friday that a clash occurred between personnel of both security agencies on Tuesday, October 22 and Wednesday, October 23, 2024, at Elizabeth Estate, Osogbo.
As a result of the clash and subsequent arrest and detention of the NSCDC personnel by the Osun State Police Command, the State Commandant, Michael Adaralewa insisted on a thorough investigation into the matter to bring those found culpable to book.
A statement by Adeleke Kehinde, spokesperson of the Osun NSCDC Command, revealed that the police operatives from Oyo had stormed the Estate which was secured by the NSCDC personnel to arrest some suspected criminals before they were assaulted.
The Osun State Police Command, on the other hand, speaking through its spokesperson, Yemisi Opalola, said the police personnel were from the Oyo State Police Command and were on a mission to arrest a suspected criminal.
Opalola said the NSCDC personnel prevented them from arresting the criminal and in the process, beat up and injured two police officers and deflated the tires of their vehicle.
She however revealed that investigation was ongoing to unravel the matter.
Governor Adeleke while noting rising cases of police-civilian confrontations across the state, urged all service commanders to enforce discipline within their ranks and file to sustain civil-security cordial relationship in the state.
While warning against high handedness in law enforcement, the governor further urged all stakeholders to avoid actions and inactions capable of jeopardising the record of Osun State as the most peaceful in the federation.
“I task our commanders to enforce discipline and operational rules among their men and women. Rogue operation is increasing, civilian harassment is on the rise and now service to service confrontation is added. We must restore normalcy.
“All these matters of urgency will be tackled at the next security council meeting. Our Service Commanders have been wonderful. We must not relax in our quest to restore closer inter- agency partnership and collaboration,” the governor said.
Peoplesmind
