The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, has been released by the Osun State Police Command following his arrest during a police operation in Osogbo.
His release was confirmed on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who announced the development in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page.
Olajengbesi expressed appreciation to the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public concerns over the arrest.
He stated that the police demonstrated commitment to justice and the rule of law by releasing the SSG, adding that Igbalaye’s dedication to the people of Osun State would not be forgotten.
The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed Igbalaye release.
Igbalaye was arrested on Wednesday alongside five other individuals after police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo. According to the police, the operation followed intelligence reports indicating that suspected criminals were operating from the location.
The police disclosed that one of those arrested at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was allegedly on its watchlist in connection with criminal offences.
During the operation, officers reportedly recovered N4.81 million
in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.Others arrested alongside the SSG were identified as Akande Taiwo (60), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40).
The police said the recovered items are undergoing forensic examination as investigations continue.
According to the command, the discovery of cash and voter materials has raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect. Authorities stressed that investigations are still ongoing and that additional charges may emerge depending on the outcome.
Earlier on Thursday, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated, claiming the Commissioner of Police ordered the operation after an incident during an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting.
However, the Osun State Police Command maintained that the raid was intelligence-driven and carried out in line with ongoing investigations into alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.
The release of the SSG comes amid heightened political tension in Osun State as security agencies continue their investigations into the circumstances surrounding the arrests.
#WawaReporters #OsunState #TeslimIgbalaye #BreakingNews #NigeriaPolitics #Police #ElectoralOffences #Osogbo #RuleOfLaw #LatestNews
