The arrests, which occurred during a raid at Igbalaiye’s residence in Osogbo, were accompanied by the recovery of N4,810,500, two voter cards, a voter register, and suspected electoral crime-related items. While police assert these items suggest electoral malpractice, the Osun State Government and Adeleke campaign have condemned the operation as a political crackdown targeting opposition figures.

Police highlighted that one of those arrested was on a watchlist for prior criminal activities. The operation, characterized by the police as lawful, has been met with claims from the Osun State Government that it was conducted without a search warrant, thus violating legal protocols. The state government has called the raid part of a broader campaign of oppression against its officials, asserting that members of the SSG’s family were arrested and taken to unspecified locations during the incident.

The state’s public relations outlined additional allegations against the arrestees, suggesting potential charges such as vote-buying, criminal conspiracy, and harboring fugitives. There are concerns about the implications of these actions for public security and the integrity of the electoral process, with the police emphasizing a commitment to investigate the origins and uses of the recovered items.

In a statement, the government condemned what it labelled as unconstitutional actions by the police, accusing them of partiality towards the state’s ruling political party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). They asserted that the law enforcement agency’s operations had the potential to undermine the legitimacy of the electoral process and threaten the safety and rights of citizens in Osun State.

The Adeleke campaign further described the arrests as politically motivated, intended to intimidate opposition supporters, with claims that over 86 members of their party have been apprehended without justification. This has raised alarms about potential violations of civil rights and the erosion of democratic values within the state as the election approaches, prompting calls for intervention from higher authorities and traditional leaders to address the escalating tensions.