Teslim Igbalaiye was released a day after police raided his Osogbo residence and arrested five others during an intelligence-led operation
The Secretary to the Osun State Government, Teslim Igbalaiye, was released by the Osun State Police Command on Thursday, a day after his arrest during a police raid at his residence in Osogbo sparked a strong political reaction from the state government’s campaign camp.
Also read: JUST IN: Police detain Osun SSG, five others amid investigation
The release of Osun SSG Igbalaiye was announced by Pelumi Olajengbesi, spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, which is leading Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election campaign.
Olajengbesi announced the development in a post on his verified Facebook page, thanking the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public concerns over the detention.
“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,” Olajengbesi wrote.
He added, “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.”
The police also confirmed the release. The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development in a telephone conversation with journalists in Osogbo.
The arrest occurred on Wednesday when police officers raided Igbalaiye’s residence and detained him alongside five other men.
The police said the operation followed intelligence indicating that suspected criminal gangs were allegedly using a location in Osogbo as a hideout.
According to Ojelabi, one of those arrested at the residence, identified as Oladele Abiodun, was a suspect already on the police watchlist in connection with alleged criminal offences.
The police said officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two permanent voters’ cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, one photocopy machine and one printer from the residence.
The other individuals arrested were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.
The arrests triggered an immediate reaction from members of Governor Adeleke’s campaign team, who called for the release of the SSG and others detained in the state.
Olajengbesi later told journalists, after visiting the Force Intelligence Response Team headquarters in Abuja, that more than 86 campaign members had allegedly been arrested across Osun State and detained without lawful justification.
The claim, however, was presented by the campaign team and was not independently corroborated in the information available.
The police, meanwhile, maintained that the raid was conducted as part of an intelligence-led operation targeting suspected criminal activity.
The development comes against the backdrop of heightened political activity in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election, with rival political camps intensifying mobilisation and trading allegations over the conduct of security agencies.
Igbalaiye’s release is likely to ease some of the immediate political tension surrounding his arrest, although questions remain about the outcome of the police investigation and the status of the other individuals detained during the operation.
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The police have yet to publicly announce whether charges will be filed against any of the suspects or provide further details on the alleged criminal activities that prompted the raid.
Peculiar Adirika is a journalist and contributor to Freelanews.com, covering news, business, and public affairs.
