A coalition of civil society organisations and student bodies has rallied support for the Inspector General of Police, IGP, and the Osun State Commissioner of Police in their efforts to fight crimes and political-related violence.
The Youths under the aegis of the Osun Youths and Students’ Coalition Network (OYSCN) passed a Vote of Confidence on the IGP Tunji Disu and the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, even as they condemned the recent wave of violence in the state as the August 15, 2026 governorship election approaches.
The coalition, which comprises the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Association of Colleges of Education Students (NACES), Osun Youth Network and several other youth groups, passed a vote of confidence on the state commissioner of police, Ibrahim Gotan, commending his leadership and efforts at tackling criminality.
They urged him to remain focused despite what they described as mounting pressure and attacks from political actors against him.
Dozens of protesters carrying placards with various inscriptions marched through major streets in Osogbo, chanting solidarity songs, calling for an end to political violence and intimidation in the state.
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The youths urged political actors to embrace peace and warned against actions capable of disrupting the prevailing peace in Osun State. They also appealed to residents and stakeholders to support security agencies in their efforts to maintain law and order.
The coalition condemned what it termed attempts to politicise security matters and cautioned against acts capable of undermining security operations in the state.
Speaking during the protest, the spokesperson for the coalition and the Executive Director of the World Institute for Peace (WIP), Mr Lamina Omotoyosi, expressed concern over the growing political tension in the state and called on the state government to provide more support for security agencies in the fight against kidnapping, cultism and political thuggery.
He urged the state government to immediately deploy Armoured Personnel Carriers (APCs) procured by the previous administration and provide additional patrol vehicles, motorcycles and other logistics to enhance crime prevention and improve rapid response to security threats.
Omotoyosi said the coalition had closely monitored the activities of the Police, Osun State Command under CP Ibrahim Gotan, and had found the Commissioner worthy of commendation.
“We hereby pass a Vote of Confidence in the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, for his outstanding leadership, professionalism and dedication to maintaining law and order in Osun State.
“We have noticed the activities of the CP Ibrahim Gotan and his refusal to bow to political pressure regarding some unresolved criminal cases that involved some individuals which have attracted blackmail from the state government,” he said.
The youths therefore called for an immediate end to political violence in Osun State and across Nigeria, while demanding the arrest and prosecution of all suspects with pending criminal allegations before the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
They also urged the Commissioner of Police to strengthen community policing by holding regular security meetings with traditional rulers and other critical stakeholders across the state.
