By Emmanuel Thomas l Friday, August 14, 2026
OSOGBO — The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Rt. Hon. Adewale Olumide Egbedun, has raised an alarm over reported acts of political violence, intimidation, and unauthorized security operations targeting citizens and political figures in Odo Otin Local Government Area of the state.
Addressing representatives of diplomatic missions, international human rights organizations, security agencies, and members of the press, the Speaker called on the Federal Government of Nigeria and the international community to intervene urgently to protect democratic norms and ensure the safety of residents in the state.
According to Speaker Egbedun, disturbing reports received over the past 48 hours detail how armed military personnel posted to Odo Otin Local Government Area, allegedly led by one Sikiru Adeboye, have been moving through local communities targeting members and leaders of the Accord political platform.
The Speaker emphasized that such grave allegations must not be swept under the carpet or dismissed through political rhetoric, insisting instead on an immediate, independent, and transparent investigation by relevant authorities.
”These actions must not be dismissed or politicised. They require immediate, independent and transparent investigation by the appropriate authorities,” Egbedun stated, adding that no citizen should be subjected to state-backed or political harassment regardless of their political alignment.
Highlighting specific instances of violence, the Speaker disclosed that armed operatives invaded the home of an elderly community leader, Alhaja Popoola Kuburat Ijadunola—popularly known as Mama Mi Leko—who is an elder sister to former Osun State Governor, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola. During the residential invasion, two of her children were forcibly taken away.
Furthermore, several other individuals were reportedly targeted in separate violent attacks within the local government area. Among those listed by the Speaker were Ayanyemi Joshua Olawale (commonly known as Lawesco), Fasola Femi (Odofin), and Ajimoti Rasheed Omotayo (Action). During the incident involving Mr. Ajimoti, gunshots were fired inside the residential premises, resulting in the killing of his domestic dog.
”This is disturbing,” Egbedun remarked. “No Nigerian citizen, regardless of political affiliation, age, social standing or location, should live in fear of armed personnel or believe that his or her home can be invaded with impunity.”
The Speaker expressed deeper concern regarding the handling of security operations in Okuku, where three armed men were recently apprehended.
According to Egbedun, the suspects confessed to working for Francis Eniade, the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate for the House of Representatives, who had previously issued public threats against the Speaker in a widely circulated social media video.
The three suspects were initially arrested in possession of two pump-action firearms and were personally handed over to the Director of the Department of State Services (DSS) for full investigation. However, information reaching the Speaker indicates that the suspects have since been released.
Egbedun also alleged that subtle pressure and intimidation tactics are being applied to prevent him from releasing video recordings that contain the confessional statements made by the suspects prior to their release.
”I cannot be intimidated for demanding that the truth be established,” the Speaker asserted. “If anyone has committed an offence, let that person face the law. Circumstances like this, which involve firearms, threats, political violence, and the deployment of security personnel against citizens, require institutional scrutiny rather than secrecy.”
Emphasizing the core principles of constitutional governance, Speaker Egbedun declared that credible democratic processes cannot flourish in an atmosphere dominated by arbitrary arrests, harassment, and the partisan misuse of state security architecture.
He directly petitioned the Federal Government of Nigeria, the Department of State Services (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigerian Army to initiate an unvarnished probe into the deployment of personnel and firearms in Odo Otin, demanding that the findings be published openly.
Additionally, the Speaker urged the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), election monitoring groups, civil society organizations (CSOs), foreign embassies, and international human rights bodies to establish an active monitoring presence in Osun State to document potential human rights infractions.
”I appeal particularly to the international community: do not wait until violence becomes irreversible before paying attention,” Egbedun concluded. “The protection of democracy begins with the protection of the ordinary citizen.”
