The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, following his arrest during a police operation in Osogbo.
The development was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who announced the release in a post on his verified Facebook page.
“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim.
“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten. Our SSG is out, back and solid,” Olajengbesi wrote.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaiye’s release.
Igbalaiye and five others were arrested on Wednesday after police raided his residence in Osogbo.
According to the police, one of those arrested at the residence was Oladele Abiodun, a suspect on the police watchlist over alleged criminal offences.
Police said they recovered ₦4.81 million, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.
Others arrested included Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
The police said the operation was based on intelligence indicating that a criminal gang was operating from the location.
According to the command, the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect. Investigations are ongoing.
The release came hours after Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was ordered by the state’s Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, following an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting.
Egbedun claimed the commissioner ordered the arrest after he was booed during the meeting and noticed the SSG laughing.
However, the police maintained that the raid and subsequent arrests were based on intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
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