The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Christopher Arapasopo, on Monday demanded an immediate end to the alleged serial arrests of workers at local government secretariats in the state.
While the Osun Police Command could not confirm the arrests, sources within the All Progressives Congress in the state said between two and three local government staff members were apprehended while allegedly attempting to remove documents from secretariats.
The suspects were reportedly arrested at Boluwaduro Local Government headquarters in Otan Ayegbaju and Egbedore LGA Secretariat in Awo, shortly after workers who had been on strike for nearly 11 months resumed their duties across the state.
Pictures and videos of the arrested workers, along with the documents allegedly in their possession, circulated widely on social media on Monday.
Speaking at the 2026 annual prayer event organised by the state government at the Government Secretariat in Abere, Arapasopo vowed to take labour action if the alleged harassment continued.
“The development is unacceptable for the police to be involved in such disgraceful acts. Our members have done nothing wrong and this harassment should stop without delay.
We have seen videos and pictures of our members being forced to kneel down. We condemn this conduct. We call on the police to release them. We declare our solidarity with our members. The police should stop being used by the APC on such illegal roles.”
Arapasopo accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the state, warning:
“The APC is pushing to plunge Osun into crisis. They want to create mayhem. We will not help them to destroy our state. We will resist legally and lawfully. We are a pressure group. We warn the police not to harass our people. We will not tolerate ongoing harassment of our people at the local government level. The governor has done so much for labour and for Osun people. We will reciprocate by voting massively accordingly. We will also monitor your vote accordingly. We are going to deliver accordingly. We call APC to see us clearly. We will not run away for anybody.”
The Osun Police Command did not confirm or deny the arrests. Its Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, told The PUNCH:
“Regarding the arrest of staff, I don’t have any report yet on that. Local Government secretariat is a public environment. Anybody can come in. But anybody, be it politician or anyone, coming in to make trouble, we won’t tolerate that. Anyone coming to the council to cause trouble, we won’t tolerate that. People that have appointments or personal reasons can come. We won’t tolerate anyone coming to make trouble be it from any party. That is the directive. No operative smuggled anyone into the council areas.”
Local government workers resumed duties on Monday after nearly 11 months of industrial action, following a directive by the National Union of Local Government Employees.
The strike, which began on February 17, 2025, was triggered by a power tussle involving PDP and APC chairmen elected in the October 15, 2022, local government election.
Heavy security presence was observed at council secretariats, with access subjected to checks, amid reports of two separate alleged attempts to remove official documents in Boluwaduro and Egbedore LGAs, which reportedly led to arrests.
The Osun APC Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, on behalf of the party chairman, Tajudeen Lawal, expressed concern over what he described as the alleged misuse of court processes to paralyse local government administration:
“Procurement of court orders everywhere and at any time is the major problem we have in Osun. It has become an impediment to development because no local government chairman can function under such conditions. The administration of Governor Ademola Adeleke has gone to several courts, including courts outside Osun State, despite the presence of competent courts within the state. This is an attempt to stall development, and it has prevented access to local government funds.”
Meanwhile, the chairman of Osun PDP Association of Local Governments, Sarafa Awotunde, accused the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of partisanship, alleging that security agencies allowed APC chairmen access to council secretariats contrary to agreements:
“IGP sir, what is your interest in the affairs of local government in Osun? Are you trying to destabilise the state or ensure peace? You need to remain neutral. Allowing the APC chairmen into council offices amounts to political banditry.”
Responding, Ojelabi dismissed the allegations:“Anybody coming to the council secretariat to foment trouble will face the full weight of the law. We will not tolerate disorder from any individual or political party. The police did not escort or smuggle anyone into council offices; security operatives were deployed solely to maintain peace and order.”
The Chairman of Osun APC ALGON, Samuel Idowu, commended the workers for an orderly resumption:
“In most local government areas, some workers came to greet and welcome us in the offices. We do not have any problem with them.”
