Fresh tension has gripped Osun State ahead of the governorship election after the police arrested the Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, along with five other persons during a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
The Osun State Police Command said the operation led to the recovery of ₦4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer, items it said were being investigated for possible electoral offences.
The police also disclosed that one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was already on its watchlist for alleged criminal activities.
Others arrested alongside the SSG were identified as Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
In a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the police said the raid followed credible intelligence that suspected criminal elements were operating from the location.
According to the command, the recovered cash and electoral materials have raised concerns over possible vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and other offences under the Electoral Act.
Investigations, the police said, are ongoing to determine the source of the money, the purpose of the recovered materials and the involvement of other individuals.
The command stressed that no one is above the law, regardless of political affiliation or public office, and assured residents that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.
However, the Osun State Government rejected the allegations, accusing the police of carrying out a politically motivated operation.
In a statement by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that security operatives stormed the SSG’s residence without a search warrant while he was attending an INEC stakeholders’ meeting.
Alimi claimed family members of the SSG and ward officials who were holding a meeting at the residence were arrested and taken away.
He further alleged that the residences of several commissioners had also been raided in recent days, describing the actions as harassment aimed at intimidating members of the opposition.
The government accused the police of acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress and warned that such actions could undermine the credibility of the forthcoming election.
Read Also:
Appeal Court Restores ADC, Four Other Parties to INEC Register
Similarly, the Ademola Adeleke campaign organisation demanded the immediate release of its supporters, alleging that more than 86 members had been arrested across the state and transported to Abuja without justification.
Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi claimed some of those arrested had already been transferred to correctional centres in Keffi and Kuje, despite not being charged with any offence.
He also accused the Osun State Commissioner of Police of compromising the integrity of the election and called on the Inspector-General of Police to intervene to ensure a free and fair poll.
Responding to the allegations, the police dismissed the campaign’s claims, insisting that only six adult suspects were arrested based on credible intelligence.
The command also denied invading the homes of commissioners, maintaining that the operation was limited to the SSG’s residence.
On calls for the removal of the Commissioner of Police, the command said such decisions rest with the Inspector-General of Police and not the state commissioner.
