A member of the House of Representatives, Bamidele Salam, has faulted the Nigeria Police over what he described as unconstitutional involvement in the arrest, detention and alleged humiliation of local government workers in Osun State.
Salam, who represents Ede North, Ede South, Egbedore and Ejigbo Federal Constituency, raised the alarm on Monday over an incident involving Taiwo Adebayo, an administrative officer at the Egbedore Local Government Council.
The lawmaker, in a statement, condemned the police’s role in the matter, insisting that his findings showed the worker was carrying out legitimate duties in line with the directive of the National Union of Local Government Employees (NULGE) to resume work after an 11-month strike.
According to him, Adebayo was allegedly apprehended while processing retirement files for council workers, contrary to claims that he was attempting to smuggle sensitive documents out of the secretariat.
Salam alleged that the incident was supervised by a former council chairman, Issa Akinwale, whom he said had been removed from office by court judgments, with the backing of security operatives.
Describing the development as a dangerous precedent, the lawmaker called on the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately withdraw officers from what he termed illegal duties at local government secretariats and to ensure strict compliance with court rulings.
He warned that continued police involvement in partisan disputes at the grassroots could undermine democracy, erode respect for the judiciary and infringe on citizens’ rights in the state.
Meanwhile, a similar incident was reported at the Boluwaduro Local Government Council, where a staff member, Felicia Olaojo, was allegedly arrested by security operatives on Monday.
In a statement, the media assistant to the council’s executive chairman, Sahedd Omokanye, said Olaojo was intercepted while allegedly attempting to remove government items and official documents from the secretariat through the perimeter fence.
The statement added that the items were recovered and the staff member handed over to the police for further investigation.
The developments have heightened tensions, with the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State threatening industrial action over what it described as sustained harassment of its members by security agents at council secretariats.
Speaking at the 2026 annual prayer programme organised by the state government in Abere, the NLC chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, condemned the alleged actions, accusing the police of degrading workers.
He claimed that some labour members were humiliated, including being forced to kneel, and demanded their immediate release.
Arapasopo also accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of attempting to destabilise the state, vowing that labour would resist what he described as intimidation through lawful means.
Reacting, the Osun State Police Command said it had yet to receive official reports on the alleged arrests.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said the command would not tolerate anyone causing trouble at council premises, whether politicians or others.
The controversy is unfolding against the backdrop of the resumption of work by local government employees on January 5, 2026, following an 11-month strike triggered by violent clashes between supporters of the APC and the Peoples Democratic Party over control of council secretariats.
The crisis had claimed several lives, including that of Remi Abass, an APC stalwart in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.
