Four suspects were detained in Modakeke over alleged violent crimes, while six others were arrested after an alleged armed invasion of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree

The Osun State Police Command, led by Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, has arrested 10 suspects in two separate operations in Modakeke and Iree as security concerns mount ahead of the August 15, 2026 governorship election. The arrests, announced by the command’s Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, on Wednesday, August 12, came after four suspects were detained over alleged violent crimes in Modakeke and six others were arrested in connection with an alleged invasion of Osun State Polytechnic, Iree.

Also read: Osun Police Confirm Fatal Cult-Related Shooting

The latest arrests add to a growing security focus in Osun as residents prepare to vote on Saturday. Earlier incidents involving alleged political thuggery, attacks and the theft of electoral materials have heightened concern about the ability of security agencies to maintain calm around the election.

In Modakeke, Ife East Local Government Area, police operatives arrested Olufemi Olatunji, 39; Ajayi Idowu, 31; Akingbala Oluwakemi, 40; and Adekunle Basirat, 40, at about 2am on August 9.

According to the police, the arrests followed a petition submitted to the Commissioner of Police over allegations bordering on conspiracy, attempted murder, assault occasioning harm and unlawful possession of prohibited firearms.

Police searches of the suspects’ residences and premises reportedly produced two firearms. Investigators recovered a locally manufactured cut-to-size firearm from Basirat’s shop and a pump-action gun from Oluwakemi’s residence.

The command identified Basirat as the wife of Solomon Akinlabi, popularly known as “Indomine”, while Oluwakemi was identified as the wife of Akingbala Akindele, also known as “Ostand”.

The police said the four suspects remain in custody and are assisting investigators. “The suspects are currently in police custody and are assisting the police with the ongoing investigation,” Ojelabi said in the statement.

The command also said efforts were continuing to apprehend other people allegedly connected with the Modakeke incident.

The second operation unfolded in Iree, where operatives of the Violent Crime Response Unit arrested six people following reports of an alleged invasion of Osun State Polytechnic.

The incident reportedly involved armed hoodlums and left two students injured, according to the police.

Those arrested were Ajoba Akorede, 27; Adam Oseni, 27; Ogunrinde Ayomide, 21; Ogunlana Muheez, 26; Ajose Noah, 25; and Adeniyi Damola, 25.

Police said Akorede and Oseni confessed during interrogation to belonging to the Aye confraternity. The command, however, said it had not established whether either suspect was a student of the institution.

The distinction is significant because the police have not presented the allegation of confraternity membership as proof that all six suspects participated in the alleged invasion. Their arrests remain subject to investigation and, if charged, judicial determination.

The developments come against a backdrop of months of security concerns surrounding the Osun election. In June, the police convened a stakeholders’ meeting involving security agencies, political parties, civil society organisations and other groups after a series of violent incidents raised concern about the campaign environment.

Commissioner Gotan urged political parties to notify security agencies before rallies and warned against late-night political activities, inflammatory statements and the use or sponsorship of political thugs.

The command had also advised political parties and candidates in Oriade Local Government Area to suspend planned political activities in June, citing security concerns and the risk of a breakdown of law and order.

The security picture became more complicated in July when suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked a Permanent Voter Card distribution centre in Okuku, Odo-Otin Local Government Area.

The attackers allegedly fired shots into the air before taking packs of PVCs. Police subsequently ordered an investigation, while INEC assured voters that the incident would not derail the election.

The police have also faced public scrutiny over their handling of security in the state.

Civil society groups and some political actors called for Gotan’s redeployment in June, citing concerns over political violence and confidence in the neutrality of the security architecture. Gotan rejected the criticism and maintained that he would continue carrying out his statutory responsibilities.

Accord also called for Gotan’s removal, alleging that attacks on its members and supporters had not been adequately addressed. The allegations were made by the party and were not established as facts against the police commissioner.

The command has, meanwhile, continued announcing arrests and weapons recoveries as part of its effort to contain criminal and political violence.

In June, police announced the arrest of eight suspected cultists and political thugs and reported recovering an axe, live ammunition and other items. Earlier in the month, three suspected political thugs were also arrested, with police reporting the recovery of firearms, ammunition and other dangerous weapons.

For residents of Modakeke and Iree, however, the latest arrests carry a more immediate human dimension.

Two students were reportedly injured in the Iree incident, while the recovery of firearms in Modakeke has added to concerns about the circulation of weapons at a time when political tensions are already elevated.

The Osun police arrest 10 operation therefore represents more than a routine crime crackdown.

It comes at a particularly sensitive moment, when security agencies are expected to protect voters, students, residents, electoral officials and election materials without allowing legitimate political activity to become overshadowed by fear.

The police said investigations into both cases are continuing and that the suspects will be prosecuted after the investigations are completed. Until then, the allegations against the suspects remain allegations, with any eventual determination of guilt to be made by a competent court.

With the governorship election now only days away, the immediate challenge for the authorities will be to sustain the crackdown on violent crime while maintaining public confidence in a peaceful and credible electoral process.

Commissioner Gotan previously stressed that “peace is a collective responsibility”, urging political actors and their supporters to avoid conduct capable of provoking violence.

For Osun residents preparing to cast their ballots on Saturday, that message is likely to carry particular weight.

Also read: Osun Police Arrest 3 Over Alleged Human Skull Theft

The success of the election will depend not only on the number of arrests made before polling day, but also on whether voters can reach polling units without intimidation and return home safely.