Police Defend Raid On Osun SSG’s Residence

…Say operation was intelligence, not politically motivated

The Osun State Police Command on Friday defended its July 29 operation at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Mr Teslim Igbalaye, insisting that the action was based on credible intelligence and not influenced by politics.

The State Command, in a statement signed by its Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, was responding to the press conference addressed by the Osun State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, who had challenged the legality and motive behind the operation.

The police maintained that the Nigeria Police Force remained “a professional, non-partisan and constitutionally established institution” whose responsibility is to prevent and detect crime, preserve law and order, and protect lives and property.

According to the Command, “the operation carried out at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government was neither politically motivated nor directed against any individual because of his office or political affiliation.”

It explained that the raid followed credible intelligence suggesting activities reasonably suspected to constitute criminal offences, adding that police officers had a legal obligation to act whenever such intelligence was received.

“Whenever credible intelligence discloses facts requiring police intervention, the Police are under a legal duty to act promptly, professionally and impartially, irrespective of the status of the persons involved,” the statement said.

The Command disclosed that several persons were found at the premises during the operation, while investigators recovered “substantial sums of cash, registers containing names and voters’ details, Permanent Voter Cards in the possession of some persons, and other documentary materials now forming part of the investigation.”

The police further revealed that one of those arrested during the operation was already on its watch list over previous serious criminal investigations, describing the arrest as “a significant development during the operation.”

“The Nigeria Police Force cannot lawfully ignore or overlook the presence of a criminal suspect simply because he was found within the residence of a public office holder,” the Command stated.

Responding to questions over why the residence of the SSG was searched, the police declared that “Police operations are intelligence-driven and not personality-driven,” stressing that “the fact that the premises belonged to a senior government official neither insulated the premises from lawful investigation nor justified the Police in ignoring credible intelligence.”

On the invitation and subsequent detention of the SSG, the Command acknowledged that Igbalaye voluntarily honoured the police invitation but explained that fresh issues emerged during questioning, making further investigation necessary.

“It is important to state, however, that the Secretary to the State Government was never subjected to unlawful detention. At all times, his constitutional rights were respected… and he has since been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations,” the police said.

Addressing the controversy surrounding the recovered cash, the Command said investigators could not simply accept the explanation that the money was meant for party logistics, revealing that some of the suspects gave a different account.

“Some of the suspects stated that the funds were intended for what they described as an empowerment programme for beneficiaries. This explanation differs significantly from the public assertion that the funds were exclusively meant for party logistics,” it stated.

According to the police, the conflicting explanations made a comprehensive investigation inevitable, adding that investigators must determine the source of the funds, their intended use and whether any law had been violated.

The Command also rejected claims that electoral offences could not arise before the August 15 governorship election, insisting that the constitutional duty of the police includes preventing crimes before they occur.

“The Nigeria Police Force does not wait until an offence has been completed before acting… The law does not require investigators to postpone action until election day before intervening,” the statement read.

While clarifying that possession of cash or Permanent Voter Cards was not by itself an offence, the police said the investigation was based on “the totality of the surrounding circumstances,” including witness statements, intelligence reports, documentary evidence and other materials recovered during the operation.

Reaffirming its neutrality, the Command dismissed allegations of partisanship, declaring: “Our allegiance is to the law alone. We neither prosecute political opponents nor protect political allies. Every investigation undertaken by the Police is guided solely by evidence.”

The police urged political actors to refrain from making statements capable of undermining public confidence in law enforcement institutions or prejudicing ongoing investigations, assuring residents that everyone connected with the matter would continue to enjoy the constitutional presumption of innocence until investigations are concluded.

The Command also reiterated its commitment to ensuring that the August 15 governorship election in Osun State is peaceful, credible and secure, promising to discharge its constitutional responsibilities “without fear or favour, affection or ill will.”