Osun Election: Adeleke Campaign Council Condemns Release Of APC Candidate Arrested With Alleged Gun | Sahara Reporters

The council said the arrest was publicly known after a video showing the suspects emerged and went viral, sparking outrage among members of the public.

The Imole Campaign Council has condemned the release of an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate, Babatunde Festus Komolafe, after he was reportedly arrested by the Nigerian Navy while allegedly in possession of a gun in Ifewara, Osun State.

Komolafe, popularly known as BFK, is the APC House of Assembly candidate for the Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area.

In a statement issued on Friday by its spokesman, Pelumi Olajengbesi, Esq., the Imole Campaign Council said Komolafe was apprehended by personnel of the Nigerian Navy in his hometown of Ifewara on Thursday alongside some of his supporters.

According to the council, the suspects were travelling in a campaign vehicle reportedly belonging to the APC when naval personnel conducting a routine search allegedly discovered a gun inside the vehicle.

The council said the arrest was publicly known after a video showing the suspects emerged and went viral, sparking outrage among members of the public.

However, the campaign council stated that Komolafe and the other suspects were subsequently released following pressure from senior APC figures.

“We gathered reliably that the arrested APC candidate and his co-perpetrators were immediately released following pressure from APC top goons,” the council said.

SaharaReporters earlier reported that the naval officer who ordered the arrest of the APC candidate had been redeployed, while the politician had been released following what sources described as “orders from above.”

The Imole Campaign Council commended the Nigerian Armed Forces, particularly the Nigerian Navy, for their neutrality and professionalism throughout the ongoing governorship election campaigns in Osun State.

It noted that they have remained proactive in apprehending individuals suspected of causing trouble, regardless of their political affiliations.

“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 council said.

“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!”

However, the council said the release of a suspect who was reportedly caught with an unauthorised firearm was unacceptable and could encourage political violence ahead of the election.

“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 council said.

The campaign council linked the development to what it described as previous incidents involving alleged political violence by APC supporters in Osun.

It specifically cited an incident from about two weeks ago, when, according to the council, the police allegedly attacked military personnel in an attempt to rescue five APC hoodlums who had been arrested by the Nigerian Navy.

Among those arrested was Asiri Eniba, whom the council described as a notorious APC thug. The council noted that Eniba and the others had been arrested after allegedly shooting sporadically with pump-action guns in Ile-Ife.

The council said the release of Komolafe and the other suspects was particularly disturbing against the backdrop of such incidents.

However, it called on the National Security Adviser, Nuhu Ribadu, to intervene in the matter, investigate what it described as a “grave injustice” and ensure that those found with firearms face the law.

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

The Imole Campaign Council urged security agencies to remain impartial and ensure that all political actors and their supporters are held accountable for violations of the law, irrespective of their political affiliations.

SaharaReporters previously reported that the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area was arrested on Thursday while travelling in a campaign vehicle belonging to the APC alongside other supporters.

Sources said the arrest followed a routine search conducted by Navy personnel, during which a gun was allegedly discovered in the vehicle.

A video obtained by SaharaReporters showed navy officers parading the apprehended persons following the incident.

The arrest came about 48 hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, amid heightened political tension and concerns over alleged threats and inflammatory statements by political actors.