Tension has escalated in Osun State ahead of the governorship election as police arrested the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, and five other individuals during a raid on his residence in Osogbo.
The Osun State Police Command reported recovering N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register for wards 1-15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, and a printer from the premises. Authorities suspect the items may be linked to electoral offences, including possible vote-buying.
Among those arrested alongside Igbalaiye (47) were Akande Taiwo (60), Oladele Abiodun (38, a suspect on the police watchlist), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40). Police described the operation as intelligence-driven, targeting suspected criminal activity at the location.
The command’s spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, stated that investigations are ongoing into potential offences such as voter bribery under the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect. The police emphasized that no one is above the law and urged the public to remain calm while providing credible information.
Governor Ademola Adeleke’s administration and campaign team strongly condemned the arrests, describing them as politically motivated harassment and a crackdown on opposition figures.
In a statement, the Osun State Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, accused the police of invading the SSG’s home without a search warrant during a meeting of ward officials. He claimed family members were also arrested and taken away, labeling the actions as “Gestapo operations” following similar raids on commissioners’ residences.
The Adeleke campaign further alleged that over 86 supporters had been arrested across the state in recent days, with some transferred to facilities in Keffi and Kuje without charges. Campaign spokesperson Pelumi Olajengbesi demanded their immediate release, calling the moves an attempt to intimidate voters and compromise the election. He also questioned the impartiality of the state police commissioner.
Police dismissed these claims, clarifying that only six adults were arrested based on credible intelligence and denying broader invasions of officials’ homes.
The incident has heightened political tensions in the state just days before the governorship poll. Investigations continue.
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