Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants

The Osun State Government has raised alarm over what it described as the systematic invasion, surveillance and alleged attacks on the homes of top government officials by personnel of the Osun State Police Command, claiming that some of the operations were carried out without proper search warrants.

The government said the latest incident involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), which it alleged was invaded by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of operations.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, the Osun State Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, said the reported police operation resulted in the arrest of some family members of the SSG, who were allegedly taken to an undisclosed location.

Alimi said the incident followed similar police operations at the homes of about six commissioners and other senior officials of the state government.

According to the commissioner, the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) when police officers reportedly entered the residence. He added that ward officials were holding a meeting within the premises at the time of the operation.

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The state government also alleged that police officers had earlier raided the residence of the Osun Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, claiming that the property was searched and some items were damaged.

Alimi further alleged that several other commissioners had reported increased police surveillance around their homes, while some residences were reportedly entered despite no allegation of illegal activity being linked to the properties.

The commissioner said the government had received reports that some members of the Accord Party were being held at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command and had not been granted bail.

He described the alleged raids and arrests as an attack on the Osun government and accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner.

“The campaign of repression constitutes a grave danger to democracy,” Alimi said, alleging that the police had become a tool in the hands of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state.

The Osun government argued that law enforcement agencies must operate within the provisions of the Constitution and remain neutral in political matters, particularly as preparations continue for the 2026 Osun governorship election.

Alimi warned that the reported operations could increase political tension and affect public confidence in the ability of security agencies to provide a peaceful and level playing field during the election.

He called on traditional rulers, the Police Service Commission, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser, and President Bola Tinubu to intervene and investigate the allegations.

The commissioner also urged relevant authorities to ensure that police operations in the state were conducted professionally, lawfully and without political bias.

According to Alimi, Governor Ademola Adeleke had repeatedly appealed to residents and political supporters to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands despite growing concerns over political violence and security-related developments in the state.

He warned that the situation could worsen if the allegations were not addressed, calling for urgent action to prevent a possible breakdown of law and order.

The Osun State Government said it remained committed to protecting the rights and safety of residents while urging security agencies to carry out their constitutional responsibilities fairly and impartially.

As of the time of filing this report, the Osun State Police Command had not publicly responded to the specific allegations concerning the reported invasion of the SSG’s residence, the alleged raids on commissioners’ homes or the claims involving members of the Accord Party.

Osun govt accuses police of raiding SSG, commissioners’ homes without warrants