Members of Osun Civilian Joint Task Force also known as Civilian J.T.F, Modakeke chapter, has alleged Special Adviser to the Governor Gboyega Oyetola on Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Kareem Ismaeel of shortchanging names of their members for the ongoing community policing recruitment.
The angry Modakeke Civilian JTF members took to the streets of the ancient town, on Tuesday to demonstrate their displeasure over the alteration of names of their members who they claimed have earlier been selected.
The protesting civilian JTF matched in their large numbers to the palace of Ogunsua of Modakeke, Oba Moses Oyediran, the Police Divisional Headquarters of the ancient town, and to resident of some important community leaders.
They said that their investigation revealed that the SA to Osun Governor on Innovation, Science and Technology, Mr. Kareem Ismaeel, is allegedly behind the manipulation.
This medium learnt that a total of sixteen special police constabularies were to be selected from each local government of Osun State, one of which Ife East Area Office was given 8 vacancies to fill.
Our correspondent also gathered that the eight men have been screened by the B Divisional Police Officer, Modakeke, and their names have been sent to the State Government for due processes.
In the words of the Commander of the Modakeke Division of Vigilante Group of Nigeria, Mr. Awodele Temitope, said “about two weeks ago, I was reliably informed that the names submitted have been altered by some political leaders in the community. The people that were earlier screened and submitted were members of different community voluntary security outfits.”
“I was also informed that this list was reduced to five as against the earlier eight, and the composition of the new list are people with no security backgrounds, but politicians; and they were said to have gone to training since Easter Monday for commencement of training. We can’t be securing the community during hard times, and get cheated at even the slightest opportunity.”
The protesters who carried different placards visited Ogunsua’s palace, incumbent and immediate past National Presidents of Modakeke Progressive Union, the D.P.O, ‘B’ Divisional Police Headquarters and Chairman of the Youth Movement,
Addressing the protesters, Chief Gbadamosi, the Ekefa of Modakeke, who spoke on behalf of the Ogunsua-in-council pleaded with the aggrieved security members and promised to make necessary findings and address the issues once and for all.
Also, the Caretaker Committee’s Chairman of the Modakeke Youth Movement promised to tackle the issue head-on until the wrong is right.
The Divisional Crime Officer who represented the the D.P.O, CSP Ogundairo also promised to relay the grievances of the protesters to his boss, with an assurance that the needful will be done.
Efforts to get reactions of the National President, Modakeke Progressive Union, Mr. Julius Odegbemi through phone call was not successful as at the time of filing this report.
Reacting, SA to Governor Oyetoa on Innovation Science and Technology , Hon. Kareem Ismaeel said he is not aware of any list as claimed by the aggrieved protesters before the state asked him to present five name for community policing of the area.
According to him, “The government gave directive that I should submit five names as representative of the government which I did and if they asked them to summit eight names how do I know.
The Modakeke Joint Taskforce in her resolution declared a three-day ultimatum for finding solutions to the issue or automatically declared a “sit-at-home” exercise for all members, which might further pose a security threat to the ancient town.
