By Isa Isawade
The Osun State Police Command has taken note of the press conference addressed by the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Osun State regarding the police operation conducted at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on 29th July 2026.
Police response was contained in a press release on Friday signed by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan.
Below is the police’s full statement:Police News Reports
The Osun State Police Command has taken note of the press conference addressed by the Honourable Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice of Osun State regarding the police operation conducted at the residence of the Secretary to the State Government (SSG) on 29th July 2026.
Ordinarily, the Nigeria Police Force do not conduct investigations through the media. However, in view of the public interest generated by the comments made and the need to reassure the good people of Osun State of the professionalism, neutrality and lawfulness of the actions of the Police, it has become necessary to clarify the circumstances surrounding the operation.
At the outset, let me state unequivocally that the Nigeria Police Force remains a professional, non-partisan and constitutionally established institution charged under Section 214 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999 (as amended), and the Police Act, 2020 with the prevention and detection of crime, preservation of law and order, protection of lives and property, and enforcement of all laws throughout the Federation.Top Stories
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 was an intelligence-driven operation undertaken pursuant to credible information received by the Police concerning activities reasonably suspected to constitute criminal offences. 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.
Contrary to suggestions that the operation was arbitrary, the Police acted on credible intelligence supported by ongoing investigations. During the operation, several persons were found within the premises. Relevant exhibits were recovered, including 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.
Importantly, one of the persons arrested during the operation was a suspect already on the Police watch list in connection with previous serious criminal investigations. The arrest of the criminal suspect was 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. His arrest was effected in accordance with the law and forms part of ongoing investigations.
The Honourable Attorney-General questioned why the residence of the Secretary to the State Government was raided.
The answer is simple. Police operations are intelligence driven and not personality driven. The operation was undertaken because credible intelligence pointed investigators to activities requiring immediate police intervention. 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. The law applies equally to every citizen regardless of office or political status.
The Attorney-General also questioned why the Secretary to the State Government was detained after voluntarily presenting himself at the Force Headquarters.
The Command acknowledges that the SSG voluntarily honoured the invitation of the Police. His cooperation is appreciated. However, voluntary appearance before investigators does not place any person beyond lawful investigation where facts requiring clarification emerge. During the course of interviews and evaluation of evidence already available to investigators, issues arose necessitating further inquiry. Accordingly, his presence was required to assist the investigation.
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. He was informed of the nature of the investigation, afforded access to legal representation, treated humanely, and has since been granted administrative bail pending the conclusion of investigations. The suggestion that he was over-detained or arbitrarily incarcerated is therefore inaccurate and does not reflect the true position of events.
The Command has equally noted the assertion that the monies recovered at the premises were intended solely for lawful party logistics, including transportation, mobilization, feeding and communication.
While political parties are undoubtedly entitled to organize and mobilize their members within the limits permitted by law, merely describing recovered funds as “party logistics” does not automatically remove them from legitimate police scrutiny where credible intelligence suggests otherwise.
Indeed, during the course of investigation, statements voluntarily made by some of the persons arrested presented a materially 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.
These conflicting explanations underscore precisely why a comprehensive police investigation became necessary. Law enforcement agencies are not required to accept any explanation at face value. It is the duty of investigators to verify the source of the funds, determine their intended purpose, identify the proposed beneficiaries, examine the circumstances surrounding the proposed distribution, and establish whether any law has been violated.
Furthermore, the Police have obtained credible witness statements and other investigative materials relating to the events under investigation. While it would be improper to disclose the substance of such evidence at this stage so as not to prejudice the ongoing investigation or any future judicial proceedings, the Command wishes to assure the public that its actions are based on credible evidence and not conjecture, political considerations or media narratives.
The Honourable Attorney-General also suggested that because the governorship election is scheduled for 15th August, 2026, allegations relating to electoral offences could not properly arise on 29th July, 2026.
The Nigeria Police Force does not wait until an offence has been completed before acting. The constitutional responsibility of the Police includes the prevention of crime. Where credible intelligence indicates that preparatory acts capable of undermining the integrity of an electoral process may be taking place before polling day, the Police have both the authority and the obligation to investigate immediately. The law does not require investigators to postpone action until election day before intervening.
The Command also wishes to clarify that it has never asserted that mere possession of cash constitutes an offence, nor has it stated that the lawful possession of one’s Permanent Voter Card is, by itself, criminal.
The investigation concerns the totality of the surrounding circumstances, including the quantity of money recovered, the manner in which it was packaged and intended to be distributed, documentary materials recovered during the operation, statements voluntarily made by suspects, witness accounts, intelligence received before the operation, and other evidence gathered in the course of investigation. It is the cumulative effect of these facts, not any single item viewed in isolation that forms the basis of the ongoing investigation.
Similarly, with respect to the registers and voters’ information recovered during the operation, the Police are not criminalizing the possession of electoral materials lawfully available to political parties. Rather, investigators are examining whether those materials, when considered together with other evidence already obtained, disclose the commission or attempted commission of any offence known to law. That determination can only properly be made after a full investigation.
The Attorney-General further suggested that the discovery of a criminal suspect at the residence cannot automatically implicate the Secretary to the State Government.
The Command agrees entirely that criminal liability is personal.
However, it is equally settled that investigators are entitled to examine every circumstance surrounding the presence of a criminal suspect at a particular location and to question persons who may possess relevant information. Such investigative steps do not amount to guilt by association. They are ordinary and lawful incidents of criminal investigation aimed at establishing the true facts.
The Police have not declared the Secretary to the State Government guilty of any offence. His status, like that of every other person connected with the investigation, remains subject to the outcome of ongoing investigations. Equally, no person is entitled to immunity from investigation merely because he occupies public office.
The Command rejects in its entirety the suggestion that the Nigeria Police Force has become a partisan institution or is acting to favour any political interest.
The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to neutrality, professionalism and fidelity to the Constitution. 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.
We therefore urge political actors and public office holders to refrain from making statements capable of undermining public confidence in law enforcement institutions or prejudicing ongoing investigations. Criminal investigations are determined by evidence and ultimately by the courts, not by competing press conferences.
Should investigations establish that no offence has been committed, the appropriate legal steps will be taken. Conversely, where sufficient evidence discloses the commission of criminal offences, those responsible will be charged before a court of competent jurisdiction, where they will enjoy the full protection of the Constitution, including the presumption of innocence and the right to fair hearing.
The Osun State Police Command assures all residents that every person connected with this matter has been and will continue to be treated with fairness, dignity and strict observance of constitutional safeguards.
Finally, the Command reiterates its unwavering commitment to ensuring that the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State is peaceful, credible and secure. We shall continue to discharge our constitutional responsibilities without fear or favour, affection or ill will. We encourage all political parties, candidates and supporters to conduct their activities peacefully and in accordance with the law, while allowing investigative agencies to perform their constitutional mandate without interference or undue political pressure. The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to justice, professionalism, and the rule of law.
E-SIGNED
DSP ABIODUN OJELABI, anipr
POLICE PUBLIC RELATIONS OFFICER
FOR: COMMISSIONER OF POLICE,
OSUN STATE COMMAND, OSOGBO
JULY 31, 2026
Source: PM News
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