Adeleke Camp Condemns Release of APC Candidate Allegedly Caught With Gun

The Imole Campaign Council has criticised the reported release of an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate who was allegedly arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel with a firearm in Osun State.

The council also praised the Nigerian Navy and other security agencies for what it described as their professional conduct during the build-up to Saturday’s governorship election in the state.

This development was contained in a statement issued on Friday by the spokesman of the Imole Campaign Council, Pelumi Olajengbesi.

Olajengbesi said the council was concerned over the reported arrest and subsequent release of Babatunde Festus Komolafe, popularly known as BFK.

Komolafe is the APC candidate for the Atakumosa East/West State Constituency.

According to the campaign council, Komolafe was arrested alongside some of his supporters in his hometown, Ifewara, on Thursday.

The council alleged that the arrest followed the discovery of a gun inside a campaign vehicle reportedly belonging to the APC.

It said the incident occurred during a routine search by naval personnel.

The council said the incident attracted public attention after a video showing the suspects circulated on social media.

“The arrest is no secret, as a video showing the suspects has since gone viral and attracted public outrage,” the statement read.

The Imole Campaign Council, however, raised concerns over what it described as the controversial release of the suspects shortly after their arrest.

The group alleged that political pressure was brought to bear on the naval officers involved in the operation.

“However, we gathered reliably that the arrested APC candidate and his co-perpetrators were immediately released following pressure from APC top goons,” it stated.

The council further alleged that the naval officer handling the matter was forced to release the suspects and subsequently asked to step aside.

“A news outlet even chronicled how the naval officer in charge was forced to release the suspects and asked to step aside,” the statement added.

The campaign council did not provide details of the alleged pressure or identify the individuals it claimed were responsible.

It nevertheless called for the matter to be properly investigated, particularly given the heightened security concerns surrounding the election.

The council said security agencies must be allowed to carry out their duties without political interference.

It also commended the Nigerian Armed Forces for their conduct throughout the election campaign.

“The Imole Campaign Council commends the men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces, especially the Nigerian Navy, for their neutrality and professionalism since the commencement of the governorship election campaigns,” the statement said.

The council said security personnel had, in its view, shown willingness to act against suspected troublemakers irrespective of their political affiliation.

“The men and officers of the Nigerian Armed Forces have been proactive in arresting troublemakers regardless of party affiliation. Special salute to our gallant troops!” it added.

Despite the commendation, the campaign council said the reported release of a person allegedly found in possession of an unauthorised firearm should not be treated lightly.

“That said, the release of a suspect who was caught with an unauthorised gun is unacceptable. It sends the wrong signal to political criminals whose pastime is killing and maiming,” the statement declared.

The latest accusation comes amid growing political tension in Osun ahead of the August 15 governorship election.

The state has witnessed several disputes involving political parties, supporters and security agencies in recent months.

There have also been allegations of political violence, shootings and the activities of suspected thugs across parts of the state.

In late July, gunshots were reported at the Mayfair Motor Park in Ile-Ife during a confrontation involving rival transport union factions.

Nigerian Navy personnel were subsequently reported to have intervened and arrested suspected thugs allegedly found with pump-action guns.

The incident formed part of a wider dispute over the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Osun.

Governor Ademola Adeleke had earlier ordered the suspension of union activities in motor parks across the state following repeated clashes.

The governor directed security agencies to enforce the order and arrest anyone who attempted to operate in the parks in defiance of the directive.

The security situation has remained a major issue in the election campaign.

Adeleke had also previously raised concerns over shootings allegedly linked to political supporters and called on security agencies to prevent violence ahead of the election.

The Imole Campaign Council, in its latest statement, drew a connection between the reported arrest of Komolafe and previous security incidents involving APC-linked individuals.

It alleged that the development was particularly disturbing because of what it described as the APC’s past record in the state.

“This is particularly alarming because of the APC’s antecedents in Osun. Just two weeks ago, the police launched an attack on military personnel to rescue five APC hoodlums, including the notorious APC thug, Asiri Eniba, arrested by the Nigerian Navy for shooting sporadically in Ile-Ife with pump-action guns,” it alleged.

The reference was to the earlier confrontation in Ile-Ife involving Kazeem Oyewale, popularly known as Asiri Eniba.

The issue surrounding Oyewale has also generated a separate political and security controversy in Osun.

The state government has accused him of involvement in security-related incidents, while Oyewale has rejected allegations against him.

In July, the Osun State Government announced that a murder and unlawful possession of firearms case had been filed against Oyewale and 12 others. The case was linked to the deaths of two people in February 2025.

The Imole Campaign Council is now asking the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene in the latest controversy.

“We call on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to look into this grave injustice and punish the suspects,” the statement said.

The council maintained that political influence should not determine how security cases are handled.

It also warned that the release of suspects in circumstances involving alleged firearms possession could encourage further violence during the election period.

“No politician is above the law, and no political thug should be released to keep fomenting trouble.”