Don’t cave in to political pressure, Osun Govt warns Police

By Ismail Azeez

The Osun State government has cautioned the state police command against caving in into political pressure over the Lameco banditry suspect, warning against unsubstantiated treatment of the subject on psychiatric ground.

The state government recalled that two separate statements had been ondevelopment on the subject, saying a civil society organisation, Public Safety Accountability Group had accused high profile Osun APC operatives of mounting pressure on the police to release the suspect on medical grounds.

According to a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the group specifically questioned why the listed APC chieftains are visiting police stations to secure the suspect’s release, calling the move a ploy to cover up a major breakthrough in the dismantling of a criminal gang.

“The police had responded to the development by confirming that the suspect is undergoing psychiatric evaluation and that an herbalist had confirmed treating the suspect for madness for the past ten years.

“The police statement was however silent on the alleged involvement of some.Osun APC chieftains in the push to secure bail for the suspect on psychiatric ground.

“The state government warned against manipulation of law enforcement to serve partisan interest, calling the state police command to be wary of actions and activities that may embolden criminals in this delicate period.

“The government specifically asked the police command to provide answers to three questions on the suspicious plot to release such a high profile banditry suspect:

“Where is the medical report on the reported psychiatric condition of the suspect? Who is the herbalist and where is his statement of treating the suspect for the last 10 years? Is it true that APC chieftains have visited and sent emissaries to the police to secure the release of the suspect?

“Why was the police silent on the Lameco suspect until the civil society group raised eyebrows on the subject, the government asked in the statement.

“The Osun state government called the attention of the Inspector General of Police and other security agencies to the development on the Lameco suspect, tasking the state Commissioner of Police to stop the ongoing politicisation of a delicate state security matter,” the statement added.