BREAKING: Osun Government Accuses Police Of Storming SSG’s Residence Without Search Warrant

The Osun State Government has accused the state Police Command of unlawfully invading the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, without a search warrant and arresting individuals found within the premises.

The allegation was made on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, in a statement issued in Osogbo.

According to Alimi, the operation was carried out by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations. He claimed that members of the SSG’s household were taken to undisclosed locations during the raid.

The commissioner described the incident as part of what he called a series of coordinated operations targeting senior officials of the Osun State Government.

He alleged that similar raids had earlier been conducted at the residences of about six commissioners and other top government functionaries.

Alimi stated that Igbalaiye was not at home when the operation took place, explaining that the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ meeting organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). He added that ward officials were holding a meeting within the compound at the time police officers arrived.

The state government also alleged that police operatives raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire on Tuesday, claiming that officers searched the premises and damaged several properties during the operation.

According to Alimi, at least five other commissioners had reported that their residences were under surveillance, while some government officials’ homes had allegedly been searched despite no evidence of unlawful activity.

The commissioner further claimed that several members of the Accord Party were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the Osun State Police Command without being granted bail.

He accused the police of carrying out a campaign of intimidation against the state government and alleged that the command was acting in the interest of the All Progressives Congress (APC).

Alimi further argued that the police had abandoned their constitutional duty of neutrality ahead of the forthcoming elections, warning that the alleged actions could undermine public confidence in the electoral process.

Describing the development as a threat to democracy and peaceful elections in the state, the commissioner appealed to President Bola Tinubu, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, traditional rulers and other relevant authorities to urgently intervene.

He warned that failure to address the situation could heighten political tensions and lead to a breakdown of law and order in Osun State.