DSS invites Osun traditional rulers over political violence

The Department of State Security has invited two traditional rulers in Osun State to explain their roles in cases of political violence in the state.

The Director of DSS in Osun State, Mr. Andrew Iorkya, said this in a telephone interview with our correspondent in Osogbo on Monday.

Iorkya said that the agency was already working round the clock with other security agencies to ensure that politicians did not plunge the state into anarchy before, during and after the coming polls.

He said, “ We have invited two baales (village heads) to explain their alleged roles in promoting crisis in Ikirun axis. We are not saying they are guilty but we want them to explain their roles.

“There will be no sacred cow. We don’t want crisis in Osun State and anybody who wants to cause trouble will be dealt with according to the provisions of the law.”

Iorkya stated that the DSS was investigating the allegation of violence levelled against the candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party in Osun East Senatorial District, Mr. Francis Fadahunsi.

He said that politicians wanted security agents to be watching over their campaign posters and bill-boards day and night. However, he said this was not possible because there were other things they needed to do to keep the society safe.

According to him, it is not true that the agency has refused to act on the allegation levelled against Fadahunsi by the All Progressives Congress.

Iorkya said he was aware that politicians especially at a time like this would always make allegations to malign their opponents. He however, said that the agency would not shy away from investigating anybody accused of violence, irrespective of the status of such person.

He said, “We are investigating the entire allegation raised concerning violence in Ilase and other areas. We need to investigate every allegation levelled against anybody. We cannot just believe everything we are told but ours is to investigate and take action and we have been doing that,

“We are neutral; our men cannot take side with any political party or politician because we are not partisan. We are to ensure that the state is safe for everyone.”