Osun SSG regains freedom after police raid, detention

The Secretary to Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, was, on Thursday, released by the state police command.

Igbalaiye’s release was announced by the spokesperson of the group leading the re-election campaign of Governor Ademola Adeleke, Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

He shared the release on his verified Facebook page on Thursday.

“We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people’s demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim.

“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law.

“Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten. Our SSG is out, back and solid,” Olajengbesi wrote.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the release in a telephone conversation with journalists in Osogbo.

The PidomNigeria reports that Igbalaiye and five others were arrested and detained by the state police command after a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.

The police stated that among those arrested at the SSG’s residence was a suspect on the police watchlist in connection with criminal offences, Oladele Abiodun.

Ojelabi also said a sum of N4,810,500, two permanent voters’ cards, a voter register, Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine and one printer were recovered from Igbalaiye’s residence.

Others arrested with Igbalaiye were Akande Taiwo ‘m’ 60years, Adeyemo Lukman ‘m’ 45years, Olaoye Muftau ‘m’ 50years, and Aderemi Musliu ‘m’ 40years.

The PPRO said a police team acting on intelligence that some criminal gangs were hibernating at a location in Osogbo carried out a lawful raid and apprehended the suspects.

Following the arrest on Wednesday, members of the campaign team had demanded the immediate release of the SSG and others arrested in the state.

Addressing journalists after a visit to the Force Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Abuja, Olajengbesi had alleged that more than 86 members had been arrested across Osun State and detained without any lawful basis.