Osun Governorship Poll: Police Arrest SSG, Five Others During Raid

The Nigeria Police Force has arrested the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, and five other individuals following a raid on his residence in Osogbo as part of investigations into alleged electoral offences ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

According to the police, the operation was based on intelligence and aimed at preventing vote-buying and other election-related crimes. Officers recovered a laptop, a printer and PVCs. Police also recovered N4.8 million in cash and a voter register containing records for polling wards in Osogbo Local Government Area. The recovered items have been taken into police custody for forensic analysis as the investigation continues.

Among those arrested were Abiodun Arowomole, also known as Ashipa, whom police identified as a wanted murder suspect, alongside Taiwo Akande, Lukman Adeyemo, Muftau Olaoye, and Musiliu Aderemi.

Police said the investigation is focusing on allegations of vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, and harbouring a wanted suspect, adding that anyone found culpable will be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

The development comes less than two weeks before the Osun governorship election, amid heightened security concerns and efforts by law enforcement agencies to curb electoral offences.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government criticised the police operation, alleging it could undermine the conduct of a free and fair election. It maintained that the SSG was attending an INEC stakeholders’ meeting when the raid took place and claimed that members of the ruling party were holding a routine meeting at the residence during the operation.

The state government also alleged that security operatives had raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy a day earlier, accusing officers of damaging property during the operation.