The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has called for an immediate and independent investigation into alleged attacks, intimidation and threats against residents and political actors in Odo Otin Local Government Area of the state. It
Egbedun, in a statement on Friday, said the allegations reported over the past 48 hours were “deeply troubling” and required urgent attention from security agencies, human rights organisations and the international community.
He alleged that armed military personnel deployed to Odo Otin Local Government Area and led by one Sikiru Adeboye had been moving through communities and allegedly targeting leaders and members of the Accord political platform.
The Speaker urged authorities not to dismiss or politicise the allegations, but to conduct a transparent investigation and make the findings public.
Among the incidents cited was an alleged invasion of the residence of Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola, popularly known as Mama Mi Leko, who is the elder sister of former Osun State Governor, Olagunsoye Oyinlola.
According to Egbedun, two of Ijadunola’s children were allegedly taken away during the incident.
He also alleged attacks involving Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale, popularly known as Lawesco; Fasola Femi, known as Odofin; and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo, also known as Action.
Egbedun said gunshots were reportedly fired during one of the incidents and that Ajimoti’s dog was killed.
“No Nigerian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, age, social standing or location, should live in fear of armed personnel or believe that his or her home can be invaded with impunity,” he said.
The Speaker also raised concerns over the reported release of three armed men allegedly arrested in Okuku and accused of working for Francis Eniade, the APC House of Representatives candidate.
He said the suspects were arrested with two pump-action firearms and were personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services for further investigation.
Egbedun alleged that the suspects had subsequently been released and expressed concern over what he described as an attempt to prevent him from making public a video containing their alleged confessional statements.
“I cannot be intimidated for demanding for the truth to be established,” the Speaker said, adding that anyone found to have committed an offence should face the law.
He said allegations involving firearms, threats, political violence and the deployment of security personnel against citizens deserved institutional scrutiny.
Egbedun called on the Federal Government, the DSS, the Nigeria Police Force, the Nigerian Army and other relevant authorities to investigate the allegations and publicly disclose their findings.
He also urged the National Human Rights Commission, civil society organisations, election observers, diplomatic missions and international human rights organisations to monitor developments in Osun State and independently document any alleged rights violations.
The Speaker stressed that the appeal was not for international actors to support any political party, but to uphold truth, human rights, constitutional democracy and the rule of law.
“Democracy cannot survive where citizens are intimidated into silence,” he said.
“Elections cannot be free where political actors fear attacks, arbitrary arrests or the use of security agencies for partisan purposes.”
Egbedun assured residents that he would continue to defend the constitutional rights of the people of Osun State and demand accountability from institutions responsible for protecting citizens.
He further urged security agencies to remain professional and impartial, warning that democracy must not become “a casualty of political ambition.”
The allegations contained in the statement have not been independently verified.
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