The Nigeria Police Force has deployed a new Commissioner of Police, Samuel Erale, to Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, replacing CP Ibrahim Gotan.
According to CDA News Nigeria, the deployment was confirmed on Friday by the Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who said Erale would oversee security arrangements before and during the governorship poll.
Although the police did not officially state the reason for Gotan’s redeployment, the development comes after months of criticism from the Osun State Government, political stakeholders and civil society organisations over allegations of bias in the handling of politically sensitive matters.
Gotan’s reassignment also follows the release of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, who was arrested alongside five others after police raided his residence over allegations of vote-buying and harbouring a wanted suspect.
The operation drew criticism from the Osun State Government and the ruling Accord Party, which alleged that security agencies were intimidating government officials ahead of the election. The police have maintained that their actions were based on intelligence and ongoing investigations.
CDA News Nigeria reports that the appointment of the new commissioner is expected to strengthen security coordination as political campaigns intensify ahead of the governorship election.
CDA News Nigeria independently verified the police deployment and reports the news gathered from the report. The allegations of intimidation remain disputed, and the Nigeria Police Force has not linked the redeployment to the recent political controversy.
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