As preparations for August 15 polls in Osun gather momentum, the state Police Command and the leadership of the Accord Party, on Wednesday traded words over the activities of suspected political hoodlums and alleged selective arrest of criminals.

While the chairman of Accord, Pastor Victor Akande accused the Police of allegedly engaging in selective arrest of suspects and aiding thugs to forcefully take over motor parks, the Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiodun Ojelabi dismissed such the party’s position as lacking substance.

In a statement forwarded to journalists, Akande alleged that the Police was presenting a one-sided narrative while deliberately ignoring the activities of notorious APC-backed thugs, saying such posture only reinforced public perception that the state command have abandoned their constitutional responsibility of impartiality in favour of political protection.

According to Akande, for several weeks, notorious figures have continued to terrorise the towns across the state recklessly with no meaningful action from the Police to apprehend or prosecute those responsible.

“Instead, these individuals continue to move freely under security operative protection while innocent citizens are left vulnerable. Their notorious activities at Ido-Osun remain fresh in the minds of residents. There were reported incidents of gunfire allegedly carried out by these APC thugs while security personnel were present.

Reacting to the Accord accusation, in a separate statement, the Police PPRO, Abiodun Ojelabi, maintained that the state command remains a non-partisan institution established by law to protect lives and property, preserve public order, and enforce the law without fear or favour.

Insisting that the command would not condon or shield criminal elements irrespective of their political, ethnic, religious, or social affiliations, the PPRO stressed that “security operations are intelligence-driven and evidence-based.”

Ojelabi further explained that “arrests were not carried out on the basis of media reports, political statements, social media allegations, or public sentiments, but on credible evidence capable of sustaining lawful prosecution.”