The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, hours after his arrest during a police operation at his residence in Osogbo, the state capital.

His release was confirmed on Thursday by both the Osun State Police Command and the Imole Campaign Council, the political group coordinating the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke.

The development comes amid growing political tension in the state following the arrest of Igbalaye and five others over allegations bordering on electoral offences and other criminal activities.

Release confirmed

The spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, announced the SSG’s release in a statement posted on his verified Facebook page.

Olajengbesi expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for approving Igbalaye’s release despite what he described as intense pressure.

“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,” he stated.

He added that the Nigeria Police Force performs its constitutional role best when it upholds justice, fairness and the rule of law.

Welcoming the SSG back, Olajengbesi described Igbalaye as a courageous public servant whose commitment to the people of Osun State would not be forgotten.

The spokesperson of the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed that Igbalaye had regained his freedom, although he did not disclose whether any conditions were attached to his release.

How the arrest happened

The SSG was arrested on Wednesday after operatives of the Osun State Police Command raided his residence in Osogbo.

According to the police, the operation followed credible intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were hiding at the location.

Police said one of the individuals arrested at the residence, identified as Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist for alleged criminal offences.

Others arrested during the operation were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The command maintained that the raid was lawful and based strictly on intelligence received by security agencies.

Cash, voter register recovered

During the operation, police said officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.

The recovered items have been taken into police custody for forensic examination as investigators seek to determine their connection to the allegations being investigated.

According to the command, the discovery of the cash and voter register raised concerns about possible electoral offences ahead of future elections in the state.

Ojelabi said investigators were examining whether any laws relating to vote buying, criminal conspiracy or harbouring wanted suspects had been violated.

He stressed that the ongoing investigation could reveal additional offences as detectives continue to analyse evidence obtained during the operation.

Speaker alleges political motive

The release of the SSG came only hours after the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, accused the police of acting out of political bias.

Egbedun alleged that the Osun State Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, ordered the arrest after an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.

According to the Speaker, the commissioner became angry after being booed by some participants and allegedly noticed Igbalaye laughing during the incident.

He further claimed that the SSG later received information that police officers had been stationed around his residence before the operation that eventually led to his arrest.

Police insist investigation continues

Despite Igbalaye’s release, the Osun State Police Command has insisted that investigations into the case remain ongoing.

The command maintained that the raid was intelligence-driven and not politically motivated, dismissing claims that the arrest was influenced by events outside the criminal investigation.

Police said all exhibits recovered from the residence would undergo forensic examination while detectives continue their inquiries into the alleged offences.

The development has further heightened political tension in Osun State, with supporters of the state government welcoming the SSG’s release, while the police insist the investigation will proceed in accordance with the law. (Text, excluding headline: Blueprint)