Adeleke Tasks New Osun Police Chief As Police Name Ikire Shooting Victims

Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke has asked the new Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Zungura, to rebuild public trust and act fairly as the command faces fresh questions over the deadly Ikire motor-park shooting.

Police have now identified the two civilians killed in the Ikire incident as Nurení Sobowale, 49, of Odeda Area in Abeokuta, and Saheed Akinrole, 43, of Adeagbo Compound in Ikire. The command said two officers were seriously injured and that a patrol vehicle was damaged during the attack.

The command said suspected hoodlums attacked a police patrol team around 11am on Monday along the Ibadan-Ife Expressway after officers responded to a distress call linked to an alleged abduction. It said the attackers snatched an AK-47 rifle and used it to fire indiscriminately, killing the two civilians.

Zungura visited the governor after taking over as Osun police commissioner. Adeleke said the state government was ready to support the command, but expected professionalism, fairness and respect for the rule of law.

Adeleke also called for action over the Ikire violence, while the Osun State Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists urged the command to investigate the killings, the attack on police officers and the destruction of government property. The police said Zungura had visited the scene and ordered a full investigation by the State Criminal Investigation Department.

The change at the top of the Osun command comes after months of complaints from political actors and civil society groups about alleged partisanship in the handling of sensitive matters. Zungura said he would work with the state government for peace and stability and promised to be fair to all sides.

Sources: Daily Post, Vanguard, Premium Times, Punch