Osun Govt Queries Police Silence On Alleged APC Chieftains’ Push For Kidnap Suspect’s Release
- Demands Medical Report, Herbalist’s Statement
The Osun State Government has cautioned the State Police Command against “caving in to political pressure” over the kidnapping suspect arrested around the Lameco area, Osogbo, on June 03.
The state government warned that “unsubstantiated treatment of the subject on psychiatric grounds” could embolden criminals.
In a statement issued on Monday, through the commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government said it was responding to two separate developments: an accusation by a civil society group, Public Safety Accountability Group, and the police confirmation that the suspect is undergoing psychiatric evaluation.
It would be recalled that the Public Safety Accountability Group had earlier accused “high-profile Osun APC operatives” of mounting pressure on police to release the suspect on medical grounds.
The group questioned why the listed APC chieftains were “visiting police stations to secure the suspect’s release,” calling it “a ploy to cover up a major breakthrough in the dismantling of a criminal gang.”
Also, the police confirmed that the suspect, Adebayo Sunday, 38, is undergoing psychiatric evaluation and that “an herbalist had confirmed treating the suspect for madness for the past ten years.”
The state government said the police statement was, however, silent on the alleged involvement of APC chieftains in the push to secure bail for the suspect on psychiatric grounds.
The statement warned against “manipulation of law enforcement to serve partisan interest,” and called on the police command to be “wary of actions and activities that may embolden criminals in this delicate period.”
The government asked the Commissioner of Police to provide answers to three key questions: “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?”
The government also queried the timing of the police disclosure: “Why was the police silent on the Lameco suspect until the civil society group raised eyebrows on the subject?”
Olamilekan Adigun is a graduate of Mass Communication with years of experience in journalism embedded in uncovering human interest stories. He also prioritises accuracy and factual reportage of issues.
