Ahead of the August 15 gubernatorial election in Osun State, the police operatives on Wednesday raided the residence of the Osun State Secretary to the State Government, Teslim Igbalaye, arresting him and five others and recovering N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and other items.
The operation took place at Igbalaye’s residence in Oroki Estate, near the Lameco area of Osogbo.
In a statement, Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said the raid was carried out following credible intelligence and was primarily aimed at apprehending a suspected gang leader, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa.”
Ojelabi said Arowomole, who was on the police watch-list over an alleged murder, was found on the premises during the operation.
The police listed the exhibits recovered as N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopying machine, a printer, two PVCs and a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15.
The raid has heightened political tension in the state, less than three weeks before the August 15, 2026 governorship election.
Confirming the arrests, Ojelabi said six people were taken into custody during the operation.
“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 arrested were identified as Igbalaye, 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
The police did not identify the four people cleared for release. The command also did not clarify whether Arowomole was counted among the six people arrested.
According to the command, the recovery of cash, PVCs, and the voter register raised concerns about possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.
It said investigations would determine whether offences, including voter bribery, contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted person, and other crimes, had been committed.
“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 police said.
The command added that investigators would establish the source and intended use of the recovered cash and identify everyone connected to the exhibits.
It assured residents that the investigation would be conducted without fear or favour, stressing that no individual, regardless of political affiliation or public office, was above the law.
The police appealed to residents to remain calm, obey the law and continue to provide credible information to support efforts to ensure a peaceful, free and credible election.
Reacting, the Osun State Government, through the Commissioner for Information, Kolapo Alimi, condemned the raid as illegal.
Alimi said ward officials were holding a meeting at the residence when police operatives arrived. He also alleged that officers had raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire on Tuesday, ransacked the building and damaged property.
The commissioner called on traditional rulers, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu to intervene.
“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.
