The Osun State Police Command has detained the Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Teslim Igbalaye, along with five other suspects, following a raid on his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.

According to the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, the operation was carried out based on intelligence that members of a criminal gang were hiding at the residence.

The police said one of those arrested, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.

Others arrested during the operation were identified as Akande Taiwo, 60; Adeyemo Lukman, 45; Olaoye Muftau, 50; and Aderemi Musliu, 40.

The police said officers recovered N4,810,500, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopier and a printer from the residence.

The exhibits have been taken into police custody for forensic examination and further investigation.

Ojelabi said the recovered cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences, including alleged vote-buying, criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted suspect.

He explained that investigators were working to identify all persons connected to the recovered items, determine the source and intended use of the cash, and establish whether any wider criminal enterprise was involved.

The police stressed that no individual, regardless of political office or social status, is above the law, adding that anyone found culpable after investigations would be prosecuted in accordance with the law.

Meanwhile, the Osun State Government has condemned the operation, accusing the police of invading the SSG's residence without obtaining a search warrant.

In a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government alleged that the residence was raided by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations and that those present on the premises were arrested.

The state government questioned the legality of the operation and criticised the conduct of the police.