Osun Govt Blasts Police Over SSG Residence Raid

The allegations were made in a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, who claimed that the operation was carried out by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

Alimi stated that the raid occurred while Igbalaiye was attending a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Osogbo. He explained that ward officials were holding a meeting within the SSG’s residence at the time of the operation, while members of his family were allegedly taken to undisclosed locations by the security operatives.

The commissioner further alleged that the incident formed part of a wider pattern of raids targeting senior officials of the Osun State Government. According to him, the residences of about six commissioners and other top government functionaries have also been subjected to similar operations in recent days.

He also accused police operatives of invading the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, alleging that officers searched the property and damaged several items during the exercise. Alimi added that several commissioners had reported surveillance around their homes, while others claimed their residences had been searched despite no evidence of criminal activity.

The state government further alleged that several members of the Accord Party are currently being detained at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Osun State Police Command without being granted bail.

Alimi described the operations as an attack on the state government and alleged that the police command had abandoned its neutrality by acting in favour of the All Progressives Congress (APC). He warned that such actions could undermine democratic principles and erode public confidence ahead of the forthcoming governorship election.

The commissioner also expressed concern that the alleged operations were taking place at a time when electoral stakeholders were meeting to discuss preparations for the poll, arguing that the situation poses a threat to the conduct of a free, fair and credible election in the state.

The Osun State Government subsequently called on President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, the Police Service Commission and traditional rulers to urgently intervene and halt what it described as targeted actions against government officials and members of the Accord Party, warning that failure to address the situation could escalate tensions and threaten public order.