The Secretary to the Osun State Government (SSG), Alhaji Teslim Igbalaiye, has been released by the Osun State Police Command following his arrest during a raid on his residence in Osogbo.

His release was announced on Thursday by the spokesperson for the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi, who disclosed the development in a statement shared on his verified Facebook page.

Olajengbesi thanked the Inspector-General of Police and the Osun State Commissioner of Police for what he described as responding to public calls for the SSG's release.

"We sincerely appreciate the Inspector General of Police and the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, for listening to the voice of reason despite pressure and for responding to the people's demand regarding the unlawful arrest of the Secretary to the State Government, Chief Igbalaye Teslim.

"The Nigerian Police Force best serves the nation when it stands against oppression and upholds justice and the rule of law. Welcome back, Chief Igbalaye Teslim. Your courage and sacrifice for the people of Osun State will not be forgotten," the statement read.

The spokesperson for the Osun State Police Command, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed Igbalaiye's release in a telephone interview with journalists.

The SSG and five others were arrested after police operatives raided his residence in Osogbo on Wednesday.

According to the police, the operation was carried out following intelligence reports that a criminal gang was operating from the location.

Police said one of those arrested at the residence, Oladele Abiodun, was on its watchlist over alleged criminal offences.

During the operation, officers recovered N4,810,500 in cash, two Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs), a voter register covering Wards 1 to 15, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine and a printer.

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

The police said the recovered items had been secured for forensic examination as part of an ongoing investigation.

According to the command, the recovery of the cash and voter register raised concerns over possible electoral offences and other criminal activities.

The police said the offences under investigation include alleged voter bribery contrary to Section 121 of the Electoral Act, 2022, criminal conspiracy, harbouring or concealing a wanted suspect, as well as any other offences that may be established during the investigation.

Earlier, the Speaker of the Osun State House of Assembly, Adewale Egbedun, alleged that the arrest of the SSG was ordered by the state Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, after an incident at an Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) stakeholders' meeting.

Egbedun claimed the commissioner directed Igbalaiye's arrest after he was booed by some participants and allegedly noticed the SSG laughing during the incident.

He further alleged that Igbalaiye was informed that police officers were waiting at his residence before he later presented himself at the police headquarters.

The police, however, maintained that the raid and arrests were based on credible intelligence linking the suspects to alleged criminal activities and possible electoral offences, stressing that investigations are still ongoing.