By, Tayo Olatunji, Ibadan

Osun Governor, Ademola Adeleke, has urged the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Ibrahim Zungura, to overhaul the police command, rebuild public confidence and ensure fair treatment of residents.

Adeleke made the demands when Zungura, who assumed office on Monday, paid a courtesy visit to the governor at the Government House in Osogbo, accompanied by senior officers of the command.

The meeting came amid lingering tension between the state government and the police following controversies surrounding the August 15 governorship election and its aftermath.

According to a statement by the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, Zungura pledged to work with the state government to strengthen security and restore confidence in the police.

“I promise to work with the state government for peace and stability of the state. I will be fair to all, and I will prove my commitment in the next few weeks. Osun is a peaceful state, and we will work to address all outstanding issues,” the new CP said.

Adeleke, however, said the state was yet to fully recover from the tensions generated by the election and called on the police chief to take concrete steps towards rebuilding trust between the security agency and the people.

The governor specifically raised concerns over a recent police operation in Ikire, where two people were reportedly killed. He alleged that the Divisional Police Officer in the area had been linked to the incident and called for disciplinary action.

“Based on all details of the attacks, I request immediate commencement of disciplinary action against the DPO. He has become a threat to the people he was posted to protect,” Adeleke said.

The governor outlined five measures which he said would help restore peace and stability to the state’s political environment.

He urged the new CP to prioritise professionalism, impartiality and people-oriented policing, saying public confidence in the command must be restored.

Adeleke also sought stronger collaboration between the police and the state government, stressing that his administration was not asking for preferential treatment.

“What we seek is fair policing,” he said.

The governor further called for a reorganisation of the command’s internal operations, particularly units he alleged had been compromised or perceived to be politically partisan.

“I know you will be worried that Osun people see certain police units as the home base of APC thugs. There is a need to dissolve many police operational units because they have been compromised,” he said.

He also urged the new CP to ensure regular police representation at meetings of the State Security Council, alleging that the former commissioner last attended one in 2024.

Adeleke’s final demand was for the release of members of the Accord Party whom he described as political detainees, as well as an end to what he alleged were politically motivated arrests of the party’s members.

“I also call for the release of several Accord members arrested and indeterminate as political detainees. Further arrests of our members should also stop,” the governor said.

While assuring the police command of the state government’s support, Adeleke said such assistance would not be conditioned on political loyalty or considerations.

“Our government is ready to support police operations without any strings attached. What we seek is fair policing,” he added.