Due process needed to apprehend alleged criminals hibernating in Osun Govt House — Police

Osun State Police Command has said it is following due process before taking any action over allegations that wanted criminals are hiding inside the Osun State Government House.

The command also insisted that legal procedures must be observed before the premises can be accessed.

The command’s position follows comments by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, during a recent visit to Osun State ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election, where he alleged that some wanted criminals were taking refuge within the Government House.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had responded to the allegation by stating that anyone found to have committed a crime, including members of his family, should be arrested in accordance with the law.

Speaking at a stakeholders’ interface on credible elections organised by the International Press Centre, IPC, in partnership with the European Union, EU, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, explained why the command had yet to enter the Government House.

According to Ojelabi, “the Government House enjoys legal protections that require security agencies to follow established procedures before carrying out any operation within the premises.

“The Government House has its own immunity, and as the IGP has said, there are procedures we need to follow before accessing it. If not, we will be alleged or accused of infringing on the privacy of the governor, which is a serious allegation.”

He stated that investigators were carefully processing available intelligence to ensure any action taken would comply with the law and achieve the intended objective.

“We are careful, we are taking our time, and we are following the process and procedures of accessing it. The information we have, we are still working on it to ensure that if we are accessing the Government House, we will go straight and do what we want to do,” he added.

The police spokesperson maintained that the command remained committed to apprehending all wanted suspects, regardless of where they were believed to be hiding, provided due legal procedures were observed.

He also assured residents that the police would continue intelligence-led operations across Osun State as part of ongoing efforts to strengthen security ahead of the forthcoming governorship election and ensure that criminal suspects are brought to justice.

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