Osun 2026: APC Accuses Adeleke of Shielding Murder Suspect in SSG’s Residence

The Osun State All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council has accused Governor Ademola Adeleke of shielding alleged criminals, including a wanted murder suspect reportedly arrested at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye.

The allegation was made on Thursday during a press conference held by the APC Campaign Council in Osogbo, the Osun State capital.

Addressing journalists, the council’s Media Head, Engr. Oluremi Omowaiye, claimed that security operatives traced and arrested Abiodun Oladele Arowomole, popularly known as Abbey Ashipa, at the SSG’s residence.

According to the APC, Arowomole had been on the police watchlist for almost four years and was allegedly linked to the killings of several people, including members of the party.

The campaign council alleged that the suspect was connected to the deaths of Sheriff Oyewale, Muraina “Montanna” Olayiwola and Kazeem “Mosquito” Oyebamiji, among other victims.

It also claimed that Arowomole participated in a June 2024 attack on a church in Egbatedo alongside other armed suspects, an incident that allegedly resulted in the death of a bystander.

The APC further alleged that security operatives recovered eight pump-action shotguns during investigations into the attack.

Omowaiye accused the state government of attempting to secure the suspect’s release, alleging that Governor Adeleke was making efforts to influence the ongoing process.

He described the alleged harbouring of a wanted suspect as a serious violation of the law and called for the immediate dismissal of the Secretary to the State Government.

“Shielding a wanted suspect constitutes a direct assault on the rule of law and Nigeria’s criminal justice system, and we demand the immediate dismissal of Igbalaye for harbouring a fugitive,” Omowaiye said.

The allegations come amid heightened political tension in Osun State ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

Neither Governor Adeleke nor the Osun State Government had officially responded to the APC’s claims as of the time of filing this report.

The police had earlier confirmed that Igbalaye was arrested during a raid on his residence over alleged electoral offences before he was later released, while investigations into the recovered exhibits and other related matters remain ongoing.