Osun Govt Accuses Police Of Invading SSG, Commissioners’ Homes

The Osun State Government has alleged that the Osun State Police Command has embarked on what it described as a coordinated campaign of raids and attacks on the residences of top government officials without obtaining valid search warrants, raising concerns over what it termed a growing threat to democracy in the state.

According to the government, in a statement signed by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, the latest incident involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), which it said was raided by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.

He further alleged that some persons found in the residence were arrested and taken to undisclosed locations, saying the operation followed similar raids on the homes of about six commissioners and other senior government functionaries across the state.

He explained that at the time of the operation, the SSG was attending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ meeting, while political ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises of his residence.

He also alleged that the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire was raided on Tuesday, with officers reportedly ransacking the building and damaging property during the operation.

According to him, a number of Accord Party members arrested during the operations are currently being held at the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) without being granted bail.

Condemning the development, Alimi, described the raids as “an aggravated assault on the government and the people of Osun State.”

He alleged that the actions of the police demonstrated partisanship and amounted to an abuse of constitutional powers.

“By openly launching attacks on Osun Government officials, the State Police Command has once again confirmed its partiality and has become a direct tool in the hands of the Osun APC. A law enforcement agency is becoming lawless and acting contrary to the spirit and letters of the Constitution,” Alimi said.

The commissioner expressed concern that the incidents coincided with the INEC National Chairman’s stakeholders’ engagement in Osogbo, warning that the conduct of the police could undermine confidence in the forthcoming governorship election.

He called on the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Service, the National Security Adviser, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, traditional rulers and other relevant authorities to intervene urgently.

Alimi also appealed to residents to remain peaceful, noting that Governor Ademola Adeleke had consistently urged citizens not to resort to self-help despite the prevailing tensions.

“The situation is approaching a boiling point. We must protect our democracy and ensure that law enforcement agencies operate within the bounds of the law,” he said.

When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed that the SSG was raided by the police operatives based on intelligence.

He further explained that the six persons were arrested with exhibits.

Ojelabi said: “It is true that based on intelligence the house of SSG was raided by police operatives and six persons were arrested with exhibits. Four of them have been screened and we discovered that they were not involved, they will be released. That is all I can say for now”.
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