The Osun State Police Command has issued a warning to members of the Accord Party and All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state against any forceful takeover of Local Government secretariats, premises, or properties following a recent judicial ruling.
The warning, contained in a press statement released on Friday by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, comes on the heels of a Federal High Court judgment delivered in Osogbo regarding a local government dispute between major political interests in the state.
While acknowledging the court’s decision, the Command emphasized that the enforcement of legal verdicts must strictly follow constitutional protocols rather than arbitrary actions by party loyalists.
“The Command is fully aware of the implications of this judgment and is closely monitoring the conduct, statements, and actions of all parties.”
“We wish to reiterate that there is a clearly laid down legal process for the enforcement of court judgments. The rule of law remains the cornerstone of our democratic society,” the statement read.
The police explicitly warned the parties and their supporters that it will tolerate zero leniency for extrajudicial actions or self-help.
“The Command emphatically warns that there will be no room for self-help or taking the law into your own hands. Specifically, we caution against any form of forceful takeover of Local Government premises, offices, or properties, as such actions are unlawful and counterproductive,” the statement read.
To prevent a breakdown of law and order, the Commissioner of Police placed the state command on heightened alert noting that security personnel have been instructed to deal decisively with any individuals or groups attempting to disrupt public peace or unlawfully occupy secretariats.
Urging political actors and the general public to maintain calm, the command advised that all grievances or secondary enforcement procedures be channelled exclusively through the appropriate judicial mechanisms.