By Ayomide Otitoju
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other individuals following an intelligence-led operation at a property linked to the government official in Osogbo.
According to the police, the operation was launched after intelligence reports indicated that suspected members of a criminal gang were hiding in the Oroki Estate area of the state capital.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said one of those arrested was Oladele Abiodun, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who is on the police watchlist over alleged involvement in serious crimes, including murder.
The police identified the other suspects as Teslim Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
During the operation, security operatives recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voter cards and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The command said all recovered items had been taken into custody for forensic examination and further investigation.
According to the police, the discovery of the cash and voter register has raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
Investigators are examining allegations that may include vote-buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any additional offences that may emerge during the investigation.
The police said efforts are ongoing to determine the source and intended use of the recovered funds, identify all persons connected to the seized items and establish the full extent of any criminal activities.
The command stressed that no individual is above the law regardless of political office or status, assuring that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.
Residents were also urged to remain calm, law-abiding and continue providing credible information to security agencies to support crime prevention and credible electoral processes in the state.
Meanwhile, the Accord Party condemned the arrests, describing them as politically motivated and alleging intimidation of its members ahead of the August 15 governorship election in Osun State.
Addressing journalists in Abuja, the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, called for the immediate redeployment of the Osun State Commissioner of Police, accusing him of orchestrating unlawful arrests and detention of party members.
Olajengbesi claimed that about 86 Accord Party members, including candidates and government officials, had been arrested without justification, warning that the development could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.
However, the Osun State Police Command maintained that the operation was based on credible intelligence and carried out in line with its constitutional responsibility to investigate alleged criminal activities without fear or favour.
