By Hafsoh Isiaq
An Osun-based Islamic cleric, Imam Abdullahi Olorunlomerue, has called on politicians who allegedly armed hoodlums during the recent governorship election to retrieve the weapons and prevent them from being used to unleash further violence on residents.
Olorunlomerue made the call while speaking on a political programme on Fresh FM, amid concerns over the proliferation of firearms and the recent outbreak of violence in parts of Osun State.
The cleric warned that weapons allegedly given to political thugs during the election period could become a serious security threat if they are not recovered.
“All the guns politicians gave to thugs can’t be retrieved. They will start terrorising people with those guns soon. Police men are not the only people with guns,” Olorunlomerue said.
He added that he recently encountered one of the alleged political thugs in his neighbourhood, claiming that the man was carrying a new firearm which he believed was more sophisticated than the weapons commonly seen with some police officers.
“One of them in my neighbourhood paid me a visit recently. The gun he had with him, the police don’t have such. The gun is brand new. It was given to him by politicians,” he alleged.
Olorunlomerue said he was particularly worried about the capability of the firearm, adding that he had heard it could fire several rounds at once.
“I heard the so-called gun fires six rounds at a go. I was even praying that he won’t shoot with it,” he said.
He therefore appealed to politicians who allegedly distributed firearms to hoodlums during the election to make efforts to recover the weapons before they are used to cause further violence.
“But to you who gave them those guns, be anticipating their return. Stop the killing spree. You have turned bullets to souvenirs,” the cleric said.
Olorunlomerue also criticised what he described as the reckless handling and display of firearms by some security personnel, calling for improved training and professionalism.
He said his experience outside Nigeria had shown him a different approach to the handling of firearms by security personnel.
The cleric also appealed to political opponents of Governor Ademola Adeleke to accept the outcome of the recent governorship election and allow the state to move forward.
He said Adeleke’s victory demonstrated the level of support he enjoys among the people, noting that the governor won despite reportedly being unable to complete his campaign activities because of security concerns.
“Now that he has been re-elected, wait till the next four years,” he said.
Olorunlomerue urged political actors in the state to abandon violence and focus on peaceful political engagement, stressing that the recovery of illegal firearms would be critical to preventing further bloodshed in Osun.
His warning came against the backdrop of the reported killing of five people in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of Osun State, during an alleged attempt to take over a commercial garage.
OSUN DEFENDER had reported that three commercial bus drivers and two passersby were reportedly killed in the incident, which occurred on Monday and caused panic among residents.
Courtesy : Osun Defender
Hafsoh Isiaq
Hafsoh Isiaq is a graduate of Linguistics. An avid writer committed to creative, high-quality research and news reportage. She has considerable experience in writing and reporting across a variety of platforms including print and online.