Osun Police Arrest Secretary and Five Others, Seize Cash

Police in Osun State have arrested the state's Secretary to the Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, and five other men during a raid on his residence in Osogbo, seizing a large sum of cash and electoral materials weeks before a scheduled governorship election. The operation, conducted on Wednesday, July 29, 2026, has sparked a sharp dispute between law enforcement and the state government, with officials denouncing the action as politically motivated.

According to the Osun State Police Command, the raid was executed based on credible intelligence that a wanted suspect was at the property. Officers arrested Igbalaiye and five other individuals found on the premises. Police spokesperson Abiodun Ojelabi stated that among those detained was Oladele Abiodun, a 38-year-old man also known as Ashipa, who was on a police watchlist in connection with an alleged murder.

During the operation, police said they recovered 4,810,500 naira in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register covering Wards 1 through 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier, and a printer. All exhibits have been taken into custody for forensic examination.

The police statement said the recovery raises serious concerns about...