Osun State Government has accused the Nigeria Police of carrying out coordinated raids on the residences of senior government officials, alleging that the operations amount to intimidation ahead of the forthcoming governorship election in the state.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by the Commissioner for Information and Public Enlightenment, Kolapo Alimi, the government claimed that the latest operation involved the residence of the Secretary to the State Government, SSG, Teslim Igbalaye, where police officers reportedly arrested individuals attending a political meeting.

According to the government, “the ward officials were meeting within the premises of the SSG’s residence while Igbalaye himself was attending the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders’ forum elsewhere in Osogbo when police officers entered the property.”

Alimi alleged that the operation was led by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, adding that members of the SSG’s family were also taken away during the raid.

“The SSG’s residence was bursted by a combined team of police officers led by the Deputy Commissioner for Operations, with family members of the SSG taken to unknown destinations,” the statement said.

The state government further alleged that the operation formed part of a series of similar actions targeting members of the administration, claiming that the residences of about six commissioners and other senior government officials had also been searched by security operatives.

It also claimed that the residence of the Commissioner for Energy, Festus Adeyemo, in Ikire was raided on Tuesday, alleging that officers searched the premises and damaged property during the operation.

According to the government, “several other commissioners had reported surveillance around their homes, while some residences were allegedly entered despite, it claimed, the absence of any unlawful activity.”

The statement alleged that a number of members of the Accord had been detained at the Criminal Investigation Department of the Osun State Police Command without being granted bail following recent security operations.

Describing the development as an attack on democratic institutions, the government said, “These raids on the SSG and our commissioners are an aggravated assault on the government and people of Osun State. This campaign of repression constitutes grave danger to democracy.”

The government also accused the Osun State Police Command of acting in a partisan manner, alleging that the security agency had become “a direct tool in the hands of Osun APC” and was undermining constitutional principles.

It argued that the timing of the operations, which coincided with the visit of the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission for election-related engagements, could negatively affect public confidence in the electoral process.

The government appealed to the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Service, the National Security Adviser, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and traditional rulers to intervene, urging them to halt what it described as targeted actions against government officials and members of the Accord Party.

“Our governor has consistently tasked the populace to calm down and not to take law into their own hands. The situation is reaching a boiling point. We must save our democracy from these lawless elements within the Nigerian police,” the statement added.

The government’s reaction came after an earlier announcement by the Osun State Police Command confirming the arrest of several suspects, including Secretary to the State Government Teslim Igbalaye, during an operation linked to an investigation into alleged vote buying in Osogbo.

The police’s disclosure was contained in a statement issued by the command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on behalf of the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan.

African Democratic Congress, ADC, has rejected the new campaign fees announced by the Abia State Structure for Signage and Advertising Agency, ABSSAA.

DAILY POST recalls that the agency placed N200m and N150m outdoor campaign fees on presidential and governorship candidates, respectively.

The Abia advertising agency also placed N150m, N50m and N20m on Senatorial, House of Representatives and House of Assembly candidates.

The Chairman of the ADC in Abia State, Kalu Kalu, who was present on Wednesday when the new campaign regime was announced, questioned the rationale behind the charges.

Kalu who was accompanied by the ADC House of Assembly candidate for Arochukwu constituency, Francess Ogbonnaya Tabitha, raised the alarm that the humongous fees contravened the provisions of the Electoral Act, as regards campaign expenditure limit.

He also alleged that the campaign fees, if allowed to stay, could affect the chances of the candidates of the opposition parties, as well as destroy fair play during the 2027 polls in Abia.

“Has it not exceeded the election expenses that are provided by the Electoral Act,” the Abia State ADC Chairman fumed.

He advised the Abia agency to reduce the campaign fees to acceptable rates, noting that the agency must avoid actions that contravened the Electoral Act.

But unveiling the new campaign fees on Wednesday in Aba, the agency said no political party was being discriminated against in the advertising policy.

The Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Kaduna State Chapter, has called for the establishment of permanent security formations in vulnerable communities following the killing of more than 30 residents of Narido (Kizakoro) community in Kamaru Ward of Kauru Local Government Area.

In a statement signed by its State Chairman, Rev. Caleb Bawa Ma’aji, the association condemned the attack, describing it as a barbaric assault on innocent civilians and a serious violation of the sanctity of human life.

CAN expressed deep sorrow over the massacre.

According to the association, the attackers showed a complete disregard for humanity by targeting peaceful residents, including men, women, children and the elderly.

The association said the latest attack was another painful reminder of the repeated violence suffered by the community.

It recalled that seven people were killed in a similar attack in August 2025, while another nine residents lost their lives and 11 others were injured in June 2026.

According to the statement, the fresh killings have once again forced the community to prepare for another mass burial.

“These recurring attacks show that existing security measures are not enough. We urge the government to establish permanent security formations and rapid response mechanisms in vulnerable communities to better protect innocent residents.”

It also urged authorities to deploy more security personnel, sustain military operations against criminal hideouts, improve intelligence gathering and strengthen collaboration between security agencies and local communities.

“While we acknowledge the efforts of the Kaduna State Government, the Federal Government, security agencies and other stakeholders in addressing insecurity, the continued loss of innocent lives shows that more decisive action is urgently needed,” the statement said.

CAN further called for the arrest and prosecution of those responsible for the attack, including anyone found to be sponsoring or supporting the perpetrators.

It urged residents to remain peaceful, law-abiding and vigilant while cooperating with security agencies by providing useful information that could help prevent future attacks.

CAN also encouraged religious and community leaders to continue promoting unity, reconciliation and peaceful coexistence despite the repeated violence.

The Nigeria Police Force has barred the Western Nigeria Security Network, codenamed Amotekun, vigilante groups and other unauthorised security outfits from participating in security operations during the 2026 Osun State governorship election.

The directive was announced by the Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone XI in a statement made available to journalists on Wednesday through the zone’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ojedele Olanrewaju.

The police said only constitutionally recognised security agencies would be allowed to provide security before, during and after the governorship election.

According to the statement, the police, working with other authorised security agencies, will be responsible for maintaining law and order throughout the election period.

“As part of efforts to maintain law and order throughout the election period, the Nigeria Police Force, in collaboration with other constitutionally recognised security agencies, will be solely responsible for the provision of security before, during and after the election,” the statement declared.

The police also said all security personnel deployed for election duties must be properly identified and wear their approved official uniforms.

The AIG stressed that Amotekun, vigilante groups, neighbourhood watch organisations, political groups and other quasi-security outfits have no role in election security operations.

According to the statement, “Only constitutionally recognised security agencies are authorised to participate in election security operations. Amotekun, vigilante groups, quasi-security outfits, political organisations, neighbourhood watch groups or any other unauthorised body are not eligible to perform security functions, provide crowd control or interfere with the electoral process.”

The police warned that anyone or any group found carrying out unauthorised security duties or attempting to intimidate voters, electoral officials or other stakeholders would face legal consequences.

The command also appealed to political parties, candidates and their supporters to conduct themselves peacefully and obey the law throughout the election period.

It urged residents of Osun State to report suspicious movements, acts of violence, voter intimidation or any breach of the peace to the nearest police station or other authorised security agency.

The statement added, “The Nigeria Police Force, Zone XI Headquarters, remains committed to protecting lives and property, safeguarding the electoral process and providing a secure environment that will enable eligible voters to exercise their constitutional rights without fear or intimidation.”

The Commander Infantry Corps of the Nigerian Army, Major General Godwin Mutkut, has urged troops of the 27 Task Force Brigade, Sector 2 of Joint Task Force Operation HADIN KAI, to remain aggressive, professional and committed in the ongoing fight against Boko Haram terrorists and the Islamic State West Africa Province (ISWAP) in the North-East.

The Corps Commander gave the charge during an assessment visit to the brigade headquarters in Buni-Gari, Gujba LGA of Yobe State.

A statement signed on Wednesday by the Acting Assistant Director, Army Public Relations, Lieutenant Tasi’u Abdullahi Abbas, said the visiting General commended officers and soldiers for their courage, resilience and sacrifices in safeguarding Nigeria’s territorial integrity despite prevailing operational challenges.

He emphasized that sustained operational pressure remains key to denying terrorists freedom of action.

“The troops must maintain a high level of vigilance, discipline, combat readiness and offensive spirit in all operations.

“There should be no room for complacency in the theatre,” he said.

The Corps Commander also admonished personnel to remain law-abiding and disciplined in the discharge of their duties, while warning against social media misconduct, disclosure of operational locations, smoking, drug abuse and other vices capable of undermining operational effectiveness and the image of the Nigerian Army.

General Mutkut reassured the troops of the Nigerian Army’s commitment to their welfare, noting that good leadership remains a cornerstone of operational success.

The Commander 27 Task Force Brigade, Brigadier General Mukhtar S. Mukhtar, who received the Corps Commander, said the visit would boost the morale of troops.

He reaffirmed the Brigade’s commitment to sustaining aggressive operations aimed at eliminating the remnants of terrorist elements within its area of responsibility.