Jul 29, 2026

Police Raid Osun SSG Home, Arrest Teslim Igbalaye, Five Others

By Afolabi Olaiya Idowu in politics

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Oshogbo, Osun State- The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Hon. Teslim Igbalaye, and five other persons were arrested and detained by the Osun State Police Command on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, following a raid on his residence in the Oroki Estate area of Osogbo.

Police Public Relations Officer DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said operatives acted on intelligence that members of a criminal gang were hiding at the location.

The primary target, according to the command, was a suspected gang leader identified as Oladele Abiodun (also referred to in some reports as Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as “Ashipa”), who was on the police watchlist over alleged murder and other criminal offences.

He was found at the premises and arrested alongside the others.

Those arrested were listed as Hon. Teslim Igbalaye (SSG), 47; Akande Taiwo, 60; Oladele Abiodun, 38; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

During the operation, officers recovered exhibits including ₦4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15 in Osogbo Local Government Area, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, and a printer.

The items have been taken into police custody for forensic examination.

The police stated that the recovery of the cash and voter register raised serious concerns about possible electoral offences.

Ongoing investigations will examine whether the suspects committed offences including bribery of voters (vote-buying) contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022; criminal conspiracy; harbouring or concealing a wanted criminal; and any other offences that may emerge.

The command emphasised that no one is above the law, regardless of political office or status, and that anyone found culpable would be prosecuted.

Osun State Government has strongly condemned the raid. In a statement by Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that police officers invaded the SSG’s residence without a search warrant.

It said Igbalaye was attending an INEC stakeholders’ forum at the time, while ward officials were holding a meeting within the compound.

Family members and others present were reportedly arrested and taken to undisclosed locations.

The government further claimed the operation formed part of a series of coordinated raids targeting residences of about six commissioners and other top officials in the Ademola Adeleke administration.

It described the actions as politically motivated and partisan, accusing the state police command of acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election.

The government called on traditional rulers, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Tinubu to intervene, warning that the situation could escalate into a broader breakdown of law and order.

The development has heightened political tensions in Osun State less than three weeks before the governorship poll.

Police have urged residents to remain calm and law-abiding and continue providing credible information to support peaceful and credible elections. Investigations remain ongoing.