Osun government denies interference in police probe of governor’s aide’s alleged self-kidnapping

The Osun State Government has declared its support for an ongoing police investigation into an alleged staged kidnapping involving Shakirulahi Babatunde, a media aide to the governor.

Babatunde was arrested by the police for reportedly orchestrating his own abduction.

In a statement released on Wednesday, the governor’s spokesperson, Olawale Rasheed, emphasised that law enforcement agencies are conducting the investigation freely without any pressure or interference from the state government.

Rasheed firmly refuted claims that high-ranking officials were attempting to shield the suspect or stall the investigation.

“We strongly debunk the rumours making the rounds that the Chief of Staff, Alhaji Kazeem Akinleye, and other top government officials are working to prevent the police from investigating the case,” Rasheed stated.

Clarifying the timeline of events, the spokesperson explained that the government itself initiated police involvement.

According to him, when Babatunde initially sent a text message claiming he had been abducted, the Chief of Staff immediately directed that an official incident report be filed.

He said the case was subsequently transferred to the Anti-Kidnapping Squad of the Osun State Police Command, demonstrating the administration’s commitment to transparency and due process.

“It is therefore a complete falsehood to assert that the Chief of Staff or any state official tried to prevent the police from conducting an investigation into a matter that the state government originally reported,” Rasheed said.

He also dismissed allegations of bribery as unfounded fabrications, saying, “We categorically deny the fake news claiming state officials attempted to bribe the police to sweep the matter under the carpet. Nobody in the government has offered a bribe, and the police have received no money from state officials as maliciously alleged.”

Rasheed reaffirmed that Governor Ademola Adeleke and his cabinet remain committed to law enforcement and transparency, adding that the state government will wait for the final police report before taking further administrative action.

He urged members of the public to disregard deliberate misinformation aimed at tarnishing the reputation of state officials and the police command.