BREAKING: Osun Police Commissioner Moved to Force Headquarters in Abuja

The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has been redeployed from the state command and moved to the Force Headquarters in Abuja, barely weeks before the state’s governorship election.

The news was confirmed through an official police communication issued from the Force Secretariat in Abuja on Thursday.

The directive ordered the immediate posting of the senior police officer to the Force Headquarters on a special assignment.

According to the internal message circulated to police commands and specialised units across the country, the posting was approved by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu.

The communication directed all concerned formations to comply without delay and treat the deployment as a matter of urgent importance.

Part of the message read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE.”

The directive was sent to various departments and commands nationwide, including zonal commands, state police commands, the Force Criminal Investigation Department, and other specialised police units.

With the new posting, Gotan is expected to resume duties under the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications Operations at the Force Headquarters in Abuja.

The sudden redeployment has generated reactions across Osun State, where political activities have intensified ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Shortly after news of the posting emerged, allies of Governor Ademola Adeleke welcomed the decision.

The governor’s Special Assistant on Digital Media, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, described the development as a positive response to concerns raised by residents and political stakeholders in the state.

In a post on X, he wrote: “The Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed. We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied.”

He added: “Congratulations to the good people of Osun State.”

The redeployment comes at a sensitive period in Osun politics as parties intensify campaigns and preparations for the forthcoming election.

Security issues have remained at the centre of discussions in the state in recent months, with accusations and counter-accusations from rival political camps over violence, intimidation and alleged abuse of security institutions.

Earlier on Thursday, Governor Adeleke raised alarm over what he described as a worsening security situation in Osun State.

Speaking at a peace summit organised ahead of the governorship election, the governor accused the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and some security operatives of targeting members of his party through arrests and intimidation.

Adeleke alleged that residents and supporters of his administration had faced sustained pressure over the last three months.

He warned that the situation could escalate if urgent measures were not taken to prevent further violence and political confrontation.

The governor said he considered staying away from the peace meeting because of concerns about the prevailing atmosphere in the state but eventually decided to attend in the interest of peace and stability.