Police operatives on Wednesday raided the residence of the Osun State Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, in Osogbo, arresting six persons and recovering ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, and other items.
The operation was carried out at Igbalaye’s residence in Oroki Estate, near the Lameco area of Osogbo, following what the police described as credible intelligence.
In a statement, the Osun State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said the raid was primarily aimed at apprehending a suspected gang leader, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa,” who is on the police watchlist over an alleged murder case.
According to the police, officers recovered ₦4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two PVCs, and a voter register containing details of voters across Wards 1 to 15.
The development has heightened political tension in Osun State, with the governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026.
Confirming the operation, Ojelabi said six individuals were taken into custody, adding that preliminary screening had cleared four of them of any wrongdoing.
“It is true. Based on intelligence, the SSG’s house was raided by police operatives, and six persons were arrested with exhibits. Four of them have been screened, and we discovered that they were not involved. They will be released. That is all I can say for now,” he said.
Those initially arrested were identified as Teslim Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
However, the police did not disclose the identities of the four individuals cleared for release or clarify whether the wanted suspect, Arowomole, was among those arrested.
The command said the recovery of the cash, PVCs, and voter register had raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including voter bribery under Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect.
“The recovery of the cash and the register containing voters’ details raises serious concerns regarding possible electoral offences and other criminal activities. While investigations are still ongoing, the facts presently available disclose reasonable grounds to investigate the commission of offences,” the statement read.
Police said investigations would determine the source and intended use of the recovered cash and identify all persons connected to the exhibits, assuring residents that the probe would be conducted without fear or favour.
The command also urged members of the public to remain calm, obey the law, and continue to provide credible information to support efforts toward a peaceful, free, and credible governorship election.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the raid, describing it as unlawful.
The Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, claimed that ward officials were holding a meeting at the SSG’s residence when police operatives stormed the premises. He also alleged that security operatives had raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire on Tuesday, ransacking the property and damaging valuables.
Calling for intervention, Alimi appealed to traditional rulers, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu to halt what he described as targeted actions against government officials and members of the Accord political group.
“We again call attention to this escalation of targeted action against top government officials and Accord members in Osun State. This must be stopped before it escalates into a general breakdown of law and order,” Alimi said.
Comments