The Department of State Security (DSS), the Nigeria Police Force (NPF), and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) have been charged by Omoluabi Progressives, a political pressure group in Osun State, to conduct a thorough investigation into claims made by Mr. Ismail Omipidan, the media assistant to Minister of Marine and Blue Economy Adegboyega Oyetola, regarding threats against the immediate past Minister of Interior, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
The development was revealed to journalists in Osogbo, the state capital, on Tuesday by Abosede Oluwaseun, the organizing and publicity secretary of the Omoluabi Progressives.
The caucus of progressive politicians in Osun State, according to Oluwaseun, expressed concern about recent remarks made by Omipidan against Aregbesola and asked the security services to look into the drive behind the statement in one of Omipidan’s pieces that was shared on social media on Friday.
The group called on law enforcement officials to intervene and look into the matter, restating that it will keep taking action to ensure the safety and security of its members.
The statement read; “The Omoluabi Progressive Caucus wishes to inform the press and the public that we have officially submitted a petition to the Department of State Security, the Nigeria Police Force, and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps regarding recent threats made against our grand patron, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
“In the petition addressed to the Director of the Department of State Security, Osun Command, we expressed serious concerns about statements made by Mr. Ismail Omipidan, spokesperson for the Minister of Marine and Blue Economy, Mr. Gboyega Oyetola. Mr. Omipidan’s remarks, as quoted in a widely circulated article, implied a potential threat to the life of Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola.
“As representatives of the Omoluabi Progressive Caucus, we take the safety and security of our members and leaders very seriously. We cannot ignore any statement or action that may jeopardize the well-being of individuals within our community.
“Therefore, we have urged the security agencies to conduct a thorough investigation into Mr. Omipidan’s statements and to invite him for questioning regarding his intent behind the remarks.
“We believe that such clarification is necessary to ensure the peace and security of our state and to prevent any further escalation of tensions.
“Furthermore, we want to assure the public that Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, our former Governor of Osun and immediate-past Minister of Interior, is in good health and high spirits.
“We stand by him unequivocally, and we are confident that the security agencies will take appropriate measures to guarantee his safety and that of all citizens.
“We call on all stakeholders, including the media and the public, to remain calm and vigilant as the security agencies investigate this matter.
“We are committed to upholding the principles of democracy and the rule of law, and we trust that justice will prevail.”
In response to the accusation made against him, Omipidan stated that he was not aware of any petition filed against him about the purported threat to the life of the former Interior Affairs Minister.
However, he characterized the Omoluabi Caucus statement as spiteful and careless, associating him with a supposed threat to Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola’s life.
Omipidan, who declared that he had no prior experience with political violence, no matter how minor, went on to say that everyone who assembled the statement should have their mental health assessed in-depth.
He said :”Only an unstable mind and character would accuse a person of my standing, who in the last two decades has no any record of political violence of an alleged threat to the life of a former governor, a former minister.
“As a journalist, my records of service in all the states that I have practised are open books. Those accusing me are only trying to dress me in a borrowed robe.
“They know those who are in the habit of using extrajudicial means by deploying non-state actors to deal mercilessly with perceived opponents.
“If this strategy is aimed at preventing me from pressing charges against Osun Defender and its reporters for lying against me, it has failed. I will press charges. It is going to be a long battle, but I am prepared for it in Sha Allah.
“Finally, let me enjoin security operatives to be on the alert because my accusers might be the ones actually plotting something sinister against themselves and might just be looking for an alibi,” Omipidan added.
