JUST IN: Police release Osun SSG

The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaiye, has been released by the Osun State Police Command after spending hours in detention.

His release was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who shared the development on his verified Facebook page.

Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for approving the SSG’s release.

“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 responding to the people’s demand regarding the arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaiye Teslim.

“The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaiye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten,” he said.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, also confirmed the release during a telephone conversation with journalists.

Igbalaiye was arrested on Wednesday after police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo alongside five other suspects.

According to the police, officers recovered ₦4.81 million in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards, a voter register, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer during the operation.

Other persons arrested during the raid were Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.

The police had said the operation was based on intelligence reports and that the recovered items prompted further inquiries into alleged electoral and criminal offences.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government had condemned the arrest, describing it as unlawful, while the Osun State House of Assembly also criticised the operation.

The police, however, maintained that the raid was carried out lawfully and that inquiries into the matter would continue.