The Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, has called on Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu to investigate an alleged viral threat video against him and other members of his party.
Egbedun made the demand on Wednesday while giving his account of a separate security incident involving the Chairman of Odo-Otin Local Government, Adewale Adeyinka, in Okuku.
According to the Speaker, Adeyinka called him while he was returning from the Assembly after a World Press Conference and reported that he was being pursued by a three-vehicle convoy.
Egbedun said he directed the council chairman to return to the Okuku Divisional Police Station before proceeding there with his convoy and security personnel.
He said Adeyinka had already entered the police station by the time he arrived.
Egbedun said he was then informed that two men had been apprehended by members of the public and that a firearm had allegedly been recovered from them.
Fearing that the situation could degenerate into mob action, the Speaker said he directed his Chief Detail to remove the two men from the crowd and place them in official custody.
He said the suspects were subsequently taken to Osogbo and handed over to the Department of State Services, alongside the firearm reportedly recovered from them.
“The suspects have since been handed over to the appropriate security authorities. It is now the responsibility of the relevant agencies to establish the facts surrounding the incident,” Egbedun said.
The Speaker called for a “thorough, impartial and professional investigation” into the incident.
He said investigators should establish the identities of the suspects, the circumstances surrounding the alleged recovery of the firearm and ammunition, the ownership and purpose of the vehicles involved in the alleged pursuit and what led to the confrontation.
Egbedun also rejected what he described as “false and misleading” narratives circulating on social media about the incident.
He linked the development to what he described as a viral threat video against him and other members of his party.
“This incident once again reinforces the urgent need for the Inspector General of Police to investigate the viral threat video against me and other members of my party,” he said.
The Speaker had earlier said his lawyers submitted a petition to the police chief over an alleged death threat involving Francis Eniade, the APC candidate for Ifelodun/Boripe/Odo-Otin Federal Constituency.
The allegation has not been established by a court.
The latest development comes amid heightened political tension in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Security concerns have featured prominently in the state’s election campaign, with political parties trading accusations over violence, intimidation and the conduct of security agencies.
Senator Francis Fadahunsi is also facing scrutiny after a campaign video in which he was widely interpreted as threatening members of the Accord Party circulated online.
Fadahunsi was questioned by the police and later released. He has maintained that his comments were metaphorical and referred to defeating Accord through votes.
The APC has urged the police to determine whether the senator’s remarks were unlawful, while lawyer Inibehe Effiong has demanded his prosecution.
Egbedun said political differences should not become a justification for violence or threats against lives.
“Political differences must never become a justification for violence, intimidation, threats or attempts to endanger human lives,” he said.
He added that he would continue to stand for peace, justice, the rule of law and the democratic rights of Osun residents.
With the election approaching, the Speaker’s call adds to mounting demands for security agencies to investigate allegations of threats and violence while maintaining neutrality.
