The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other individuals during an operation in Osogbo linked to an ongoing criminal investigation.
Police said the raid followed intelligence reports that a wanted suspect and members of a criminal gang were allegedly hiding at a property in the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.
According to the command, one of those arrested was Oladele Abiodun, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who is wanted over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder.
Other persons taken into custody include Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
During the operation, security operatives recovered N4.81 million in cash, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The police said all the items have been seized for forensic examination as investigations continue.
The command disclosed that investigators are examining possible offences, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and other crimes that may emerge during the investigation.
Police said the recovered cash and election materials have raised concerns about possible electoral offences ahead of the forthcoming governorship election, adding that efforts are ongoing to determine the source of the money, its intended use and the involvement of those arrested.
Reaffirming its commitment to impartial law enforcement, the command stressed that no individual is above the law regardless of political position or status and assured residents that anyone found culpable would face prosecution.
Meanwhile, the Accord Party has condemned the arrests, describing them as politically motivated.
Speaking in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that more than 80 members of the party, including candidates and government officials, had been arrested without justification.
He called for the redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, claiming the arrests were intended to intimidate opposition members ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
The police, however, rejected the allegation, insisting that the operation was intelligence-driven and carried out strictly in line with its constitutional duty to investigate suspected criminal activities without fear or favour.
