Osun Police Declare 5 Wanted Over Political Violence Ahead of 2026 Governorship Poll
*NURTW, MC Oluomo reject Adeleke’s suspension order, inaugurate caretaker committee*
The Osun State Police Command has declared Dauda Olamilekan, popularly known as _Emir_, wanted alongside four others in a bid to forestall political violence ahead of the 2026 governorship election.
The command, in a statement issued by its spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Thursday, said the suspects were responsible for killings, maiming and assaults on residents.
Ojelabi said: “The command wants to declare the following suspects wanted for various offences: Dauda Olamilekan alias _Emir_, Taoreed alias _Small Rugged_, Adetunji Kamoru Olatunde, Saka Afees alias _Terror_ and Adeyemi Saheed.”
“After conducting an in-depth intelligence-led investigation, the command identified these arrowheads who are behind the increasing spate of political violence and thuggery activities.
“Members of the media and the larger community are urged to use all available means to inform these identified arrowheads to report to the Osun State Police Command.
“We are equally trailing them for arrest, and they will be dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the law.”
It should be recalled that political tension has risen in Osun since June. Those killed within the period include Olapade Ezekiel, a teenager in Ilobu; Comrade Abdullateef Olamilekan; 70-year-old Kazeem Akande in Osogbo; Ajayi Aderogba in Esa-Oke; and one Eluyera in Ikire.
Meanwhile, the national leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers, NURTW, has rejected the Osun State Government’s suspension of the union’s activities, insisting that Governor Ademola Adeleke lacks the constitutional authority to halt its operations.
The union also inaugurated a seven-member caretaker committee to oversee its affairs in Osun pending the resolution of the leadership crisis in the state chapter.
The committee, chaired by Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as _Asiri Eniba_, was inaugurated on Thursday at the union’s national headquarters in Garki, Abuja.
The development comes days after the Osun State Government suspended the activities of the NURTW in motor parks across the state following violent clashes between rival factions.
The state government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, said the suspension was aimed at restoring order and strengthening public security. It also halted the collection of levies and directed security agencies to arrest anyone parading as an official of the union.
The action followed a violent confrontation in Osogbo after supporters of a faction led by Oyewale protested against the leadership of the state NURTW Chairman, Nurudeen Alowonle. The protest degenerated into clashes with reported gunfire.
Reacting, NURTW National President, Musiliu Akinsanya, popularly known as _MC Oluomo_, maintained that no state government has the legal authority to suspend the union.
Represented by the union’s Deputy National President, Aliyu Ore, Akinsanya said the NURTW was established by an Act of law and had secured favourable court judgments against similar actions by state governments.
“It would be recalled that in the last few months in Osun State, we lacked leadership of our union. Despite calling and sending a series of letters to invite our leadership in Osun, which they failed to honour, we heard they are on the run.
“We could not leave the activities of the union without having leadership on the ground. Today, we heard that the state governor in Osun suspended the activities of our union, which they don’t have the power to do.
“No state governor has the power to suspend the activities of the union because we are not under any state government. There is an Act that established the NURTW,” Ore said.
He said the caretaker committee became necessary to provide functional leadership ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, noting that the NURTW has a Memorandum of Understanding, MoU, with INEC for the transportation of election materials.
“Most especially, we have an MoU with INEC. I was at INEC yesterday on the directive of the national president of our union. In view of this, we have to inaugurate the caretaker committee to oversee the leadership of the NURTW pending the resolution of all issues in Osun,” he said.
The caretaker committee comprises:
– *Chairman*: Kazeem Oyewale
– *Secretary*: Sunday Oludare
– *Treasurer*: Lukman Ahmed
– *Members*: Ismaila Abdurahim, Adebayo Tajudin, Tajudin Akin and Ayinde Mutiu
In his acceptance speech, Oyewale pledged to reposition the union and ensure strict adherence to the Constitution of Nigeria and that of the NURTW.
“We will take the union to greater heights. There will be a turnaround in the administration of the union, and we will operate strictly in accordance with the Constitution of Nigeria and that of the NURTW,” he said.