The Osun State Police Command has released the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, following his arrest during a police operation in Osogbo.

The development was announced on Thursday by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, which is leading Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign. In a statement shared on Facebook, Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for responding to public concerns and releasing the SSG.

He described the arrest as unlawful and praised the police for upholding justice and the rule of law. Olajengbesi also commended Igbalaiye for what he described as his courage and dedication to the people of Osun State.

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, the operation was based on intelligence indicating that suspected criminals were hiding at the location.

During the raid, officers reportedly arrested a man identified as Oladele Abiodun, who was said to be on the police watchlist. Other individuals arrested include Akande Taiwo, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.

Police also recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer. The items have been taken into police custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

Ojelabi stated that the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns about possible electoral offences. He said investigators were examining allegations that could include vote buying under Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring a wanted suspect and any other offences that may emerge during the investigation.

Before the SSG’s release, Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest was politically motivated. He claimed the Commissioner of Police ordered Igbalaiye’s arrest after an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission stakeholders’ meeting where the commissioner was reportedly booed by attendees and noticed the SSG laughing.

Egbedun further alleged that Igbalaiye was informed that police officers were waiting outside his residence before the raid.

The police, however, maintained that the operation was intelligence-driven and conducted as part of an ongoing investigation into alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences.