Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Adegboyega Oyetola, has condemned the reported post-election violence in Osun State and called on security agencies to urgently apprehend those behind the killings and other violent incidents.
Oyetola, a former governor of Osun State, made the appeal in a statement posted on his X handle on Tuesday.
He said he was “deeply concerned” about the worsening violence and loss of lives reported in parts of the state.
“I condemn these attacks in the strongest terms. Violence against our people is a grave assault on the peace, heritage and democratic values that define our state,” he said.
The minister stressed that no political objective, transition process or commercial interest could justify the loss of human life.
“No political ambition, localised transition or commercial interest can ever justify the taking of a human life. Politics must be a vehicle for development, not a catalyst for bloodshed,” he said.
Oyetola expressed sympathy to families who lost loved ones and urged the Osun State Police Command and other security agencies to move quickly to restore peace.
He called for increased security presence in areas considered volatile, the recovery of public spaces from hoodlums and the prosecution of anyone found responsible for the violence.
“Adequate security personnel should be deployed to volatile areas, public spaces reclaimed from hoodlums, and everyone found responsible for killings and other acts of violence promptly apprehended and brought to justice,” Oyetola said.
He also appealed to residents and other stakeholders to remain calm and resolve disagreements through dialogue rather than violence.
“I appeal to all stakeholders and citizens to exercise restraint, reject violence and embrace dialogue in resolving disputes. The progress and prosperity of Osun must never be sacrificed for political or commercial interests,” he said.
The statement came amid reports of violence in Osun following the state governorship election.
On Monday, two people were reportedly feared dead in Ikire after an alleged attempt to take control of a motor park at Naira and Kobo Junction.
Sources Online said that drivers believed to be supporters of the All Progressives Congress had previously controlled the park before another group of drivers associated with the Accord Party allegedly arrived and attempted to take over its management.
The development reportedly triggered a confrontation that left two people feared dead.