The Osun State Police Command, has challenged the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, to provide evidence of the alleged “shoot-on-sight” order purportedly issued to police officers in the state.
The Command denied issuing such a directive, describing the allegation as false and malicious and capable of tarnishing the image of the Nigeria Police Force and undermining the good work done by its personnel during the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Speaking with our correspondent on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said no police officer under the Commissioner’s command was instructed to shoot persons found within Local Government Council premises.
“There was no such order and no such directive was given to any policeman to shoot at sight,” Gotan said.
The Command, therefore, challenged the Speaker or anyone making the allegation to produce the purported order or any evidence showing that such an instruction was issued.
Ojelabi said the allegation would not distract the Command from its constitutional responsibility of protecting lives and property, maintaining law and order and ensuring the safety of residents across the state.
The controversy followed a statement by Egbedun, in which he expressed grave concern over reports alleging that the Commissioner had directed police personnel to adopt a “shoot-on-sight” policy against persons found within Local Government Council premises.
The Speaker had described the alleged directive, if confirmed, as unacceptable in a democratic society and called on the Inspector-General of Police to investigate the matter and clarify the operational orders issued to police formations in Osun.
But the police maintained that there was no such directive, describing the allegation as an attempt to cast the Force in a bad light.
According to the Command, its personnel demonstrated professionalism, discipline and restraint before, during and after the governorship election, contributing to the peaceful atmosphere recorded across the state.
Yinka Kolawole
Follow us on:
