Adeleke Campaign Council Protests Release of APC Assembly Candidate Arrested with Gun in Osun

Adeleke Campaign Council Protests Release of APC Assembly Candidate Arrested with Gun in Osun

The Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke, has strongly condemned the controversial release of Babatunde Festus Komolafe, an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate who was arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel after a gun was allegedly discovered in his vehicle — an incident that has heightened political tensions just two days before the state’s governorship election .

Komolafe, popularly known as BFK and the APC candidate for the Atakumosa East/West State Constituency, was apprehended on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in his hometown of Ifewara, Osun State . According to the campaign council, the arrest occurred during a routine search by naval personnel, who allegedly discovered an unauthorised firearm inside an APC campaign vehicle in which Komolafe and his supporters were travelling .

The arrest was no secret, as a video showing the suspects subsequently went viral on social media and attracted significant public outrage . However, the council alleged that Komolafe and his co-travellers were released shortly after their arrest due to pressure from senior APC figures .

“We gathered reliably that the arrested APC candidate and his co-perpetrators were immediately released following pressure from APC top goons,” the statement read . The council further claimed that a news outlet chronicled how the naval officer in charge “was forced to release the suspects and asked to step aside” .

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Despite its criticism of the release, the Imole Campaign Council commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy, for their professionalism and neutrality since the commencement of the governorship election campaigns . The council noted that security personnel have been proactive in arresting suspected troublemakers regardless of party affiliation .

The council, however, insisted that releasing a suspect allegedly found with an unauthorised firearm was dangerous and unacceptable . “It sends the wrong signal to political criminals whose pastime is killing and maiming,” the statement declared .

The group linked the incident to what it described as the APC’s antecedents in Osun State, alleging that just two weeks earlier, police had attacked military personnel to rescue five APC hoodlums, including the notorious APC thug Asiri Eniba, who had been arrested by the Nigerian Navy for shooting sporadically in Ile-Ife with pump-action guns .

The campaign council called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene in the matter, investigate what it described as a “grave injustice,” and ensure that the suspects face the law . “No politician is above the law, and no political thug should be released to keep fomenting trouble,” it concluded .

The incident comes just two days before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, heightening political tensions in the state . The reported arrest of Komolafe and his subsequent release have raised concerns among political parties and civil society groups about security and political interference ahead of the crucial poll .

The Centre for Credible Leadership and Citizens Awareness had earlier raised the alarm over a deteriorating security situation in Osun, alleging that approximately 40 people had been killed in pre-election-related violence . The council also specifically accused some political actors of importing thugs and individuals impersonating security personnel into parts of Ijeshaland ahead of the election .

Additionally, the Council of the Wise of the Savannah Centre for Diplomacy, Democracy and Development, led by former Chief Justice of Nigeria, Olukayode Ariwoola, had warned against violence ahead of the election and called on security agencies to ensure a free, fair, transparent and credible election . The council expressed grave concern over reports of loss of human lives and urged thorough investigations and prosecution of perpetrators .

Adeleke Campaign Council Protests Release of APC Assembly Candidate Arrested with Gun in Osun