The Osun State Government on Wednesday accused the Osun State Police Command of carrying out coordinated raids on the residences of top government officials, alleging that the operations were conducted without valid search warrants.
The government alleged that the latest incident involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), which it said was invaded by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations.
According to a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Oluomo Kolapo Alimi, family members of the SSG were allegedly taken to an unknown destination during the operation.
The government said the raid on the SSG’s residence followed similar operations at the homes of about six commissioners and other top government functionaries.
It stated that ward officials were holding a meeting within the SSG’s compound when the police arrived, while the SSG was attending a stakeholders’ forum organised by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).
The statement further alleged that the police had earlier raided the residence of the Commissioner for Energy in Ikire, ransacked the building and destroyed several properties.
According to the government, five other commissioners also reported that their residences had either been placed under surveillance or invaded despite no illegal activity taking place in their homes.
The government further claimed that several members of the Accord Party were being detained in the Criminal Investigation Department (CID) of the State Police Command without being granted bail.
It described the alleged raids on the SSG and commissioners as an assault on the government and the people of Osun State, warning that the actions posed a threat to democracy and the conduct of a free and fair governorship election.
The state government accused the police command of acting in a partisan manner and alleged that its actions were in support of the opposition APC, insisting that law enforcement officers must operate within the provisions of the Constitution.
It also expressed concern that the alleged operations coincided with the visit of the INEC National Chairman to Osun State for a stakeholders’ meeting, describing the situation as a threat to the electoral process.
The government appealed to traditional rulers, the Nigeria Police Service, the Inspector-General of Police, the National Security Adviser and President Bola Ahmed Tinubu to intervene and halt what it described as targeted actions against government officials and Accord Party members.
It added that Governor Ademola Adeleke had consistently appealed to residents to remain calm and avoid taking the law into their own hands, warning that the situation should be addressed before it degenerates into a breakdown of law and order.
All efforts to get the police’s reaction proved abortive as of press time.