Osun Gets New Police Chief As Force Hqs Removes CP Gotan, Who Attacked Navy Men To Free Arrested APC, NURTW Killer Thugs
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has been removed from the command and replaced by Edo-Born Samuel Etaifo Erale from NPF’s headquarters, Abuja, where he held sway in charge of Communication Operations.
Speaking on Thursday at a Peace Summit convened ahead of the governorship poll, Adeleke, the Governor alleged an “active progression towards genocide” in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the police of unleashing sustained violence, intimidation and politically motivated arrests against his supporters.
He claimed that his administration, members of his political party and residents of the state had been under siege for the past three months, warning that the situation could deteriorate further unless urgent intervention is taken.
Erale was recently promoted Commissioner of Police on July 1, 2026.
He is replacing controversial CP Ibrahim Gotan, who has been recalled to Abuja.
Gotan had faced charges of backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) elements, accused of being behind cases killings and injuries unleashed against Governor Ademola Adeleke’s supporters and his Accord Party (AP).
New CP Samuel Erale is expected to take charge of election security operations in Osun State.
Former CP Ibrahim Gotan was redeployed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja to serve in Communications Operations.
Notice of Gotan’s redeployment was issued via a wireless message from the Force Secretariat Abuja, on Thursday, July 30 and marked “Most Immediate.”
The signal, referenced TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.7/, was addressed to several police formations and departments nationwide, including the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police in all states, and other specialised units.
The message stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had approved the posting of the senior officer.
It read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE.”
The directive indicates that Gotan will serve under the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on a special duty assignment.
Police authorities instructed all affected formations and commands to treat the deployment with immediate effect and accord it the highest priority.
The wireless message, dated July 30, 2026, was circulated through the Force Secretariat to police commands and specialised units across the country for prompt compliance.
The Special Assistant on Digital Media to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, and the Adeleke Campaign Organisation spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a post on X, the governor’s aide welcomed the development, saying, “The Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed. We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied.”
“Congratulations to the good people of Osun State.”
The development comes amid heightened political activities and rising tensions in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, with security arrangements remaining a major issue among political stakeholders.
Osun Gets New Police Chief As CP Gotan, Who Guarded Rampaging APC, NURTW Thugs And Attacked Navy Men Who Arrested Them. Is Recalled To Abuja
The Commissioner of Police in Osun State, Ibrahim Gotan, has been removed from the command and replaced by Edo-Born Samuel Etaifo Erale from NPF’s headquarters, Abuja, where he held sway in charge of Communication Operations.
Speaking on Thursday at a Peace Summit convened ahead of the governorship poll, Adeleke, the Governor alleged an “active progression towards genocide” in the state ahead of the August 15 governorship election, accusing the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC) and the police of unleashing sustained violence, intimidation and politically motivated arrests against his supporters.
He claimed that his administration, members of his political party and residents of the state had been under siege for the past three months, warning that the situation could deteriorate further unless urgent intervention is taken.
Erale was recently promoted Commissioner of Police on July 1, 2026.
He is replacing controversial CP Ibrahim Gotan, who has been recalled to Abuja.
Gotan had faced charges of backing the All Progressives Congress (APC) elements, accused of being behind cases killings and injuries unleashed against Governor Ademola Adeleke’s supporters and his Accord Party (AP).
New CP Samuel Erale is expected to take charge of election security operations in Osun State.
Former CP Ibrahim Gotan was redeployed to the Force Headquarters in Abuja to serve in Communications Operations.
NOTICE OF GOTAN’S REMOVAL
Notice of Gotan’s redeployment was issued via a wireless message from the Force Secretariat Abuja, on Thursday, July 30 and marked “Most Immediate.”
The signal, referenced TH.5361/FS/FHQ/ABJ/SUB.7/, was addressed to several police formations and departments nationwide, including the Force Criminal Investigation Department, Department of Operations, Department of Information and Communication Technology, Assistant Inspectors-General of Police in Zones 1 to 17, Commissioners of Police in all states, and other specialised units.
The message stated that the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, had approved the posting of the senior officer.
It read: “INGENPOL HAS ORDERED THE POSTING OF COMPOL IBRAHIM GOTAN TO CP COMM OPS FHQ ABUJA ON SPECIAL DUTY W.E.F. X TREAT AS VERY IMPORTANT PLEASE.”
The directive indicates that Gotan will serve under the Commissioner of Police in charge of Communications Operations at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, on a special duty assignment.
Police authorities instructed all affected formations and commands to treat the deployment with immediate effect and accord it the highest priority.
The wireless message, dated July 30, 2026, was circulated through the Force Secretariat to police commands and specialised units across the country for prompt compliance.
OSUN GOVT REACTS
The Special Assistant on Digital Media to Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, Oni Gbenga Lawrence, and the Adeleke Campaign Organisation spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, in a post on X, the governor’s aide welcomed the development, saying, “The Commissioner of Police in Osun State has been removed. We thank the Inspector General of Police for listening to the voice of the people. The will of the people cannot be denied.”
“Congratulations to the good people of Osun State.”
The development comes amid heightened political activities and rising tensions in Osun State ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, with security arrangements remaining a major issue among political stakeholders.
GOTAN SENT POLICE TO ATTACK NAVY OFFICERS
On July 26, 2026, Navy personnel in Ile-Ife responded to distress calls from residents at Mayfair area where APC thugs allegedly were shooting sporadically, and the Navy arrested five hoodlums and recovered five pump-action rifles.
According to an official statement by the Osun State Government, the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, was allegedly enraged when the local Navy commandant declined an immediate release of the suspects.
CP Gotan allegedly deployed mobile policemen in four lorries who tear-gassed the naval personnel and rescued the five arrested suspects, though they failed to retrieve the confiscated pump-action rifles.
