Security operatives have reportedly laid siege to the Osun State residence of the Senate Deputy Minority Leader, Senator Lere Kamorudeen Oyewumi, in an alleged attempt to arrest him.
The operation reportedly took place around 1:00 a.m. on Friday, with about 10 Hilux vehicles deployed to the senator’s residence, according to a statement issued by the Media Unit of the Office of the Senate Deputy Minority Leader.
The reported incident comes amid heightened political activities in Osun State ahead of the governorship election, with political parties and their supporters intensifying campaigns across the state.
Oyewumi’s media office described the reported operation as an attempt to intimidate the senator and suppress opposition voices, alleging that the All Progressives Congress (APC) was behind the move.
“The All Progressives Congress (APC) has once again demonstrated its growing desperation through a shameful attempt to silence key opposition voices and subvert democratic freedoms,” the statement said.
According to the statement, the senator’s residence “was laid under siege by security operatives wielding a heavy deployment of about 10 Hilux vehicles in a blatant bid to effect an arrest.”
The office questioned the legality of the reported operation and demanded clarification from the relevant authorities on the legal basis, official justification and command structure behind the deployment.
“If this raid was indeed a legitimate operation, the public deserves immediate and transparent answers regarding the legal authority, official justification, and command behind such a massive state deployment,” it said.
The senator’s office further alleged that the reported deployment amounted to the use of security agencies for political purposes, warning that such actions could undermine democratic freedoms and the rights of opposition politicians.
It said the reported operation would not deter Oyewumi from carrying out his political activities or engaging with his constituents.
“Intimidation will never break Senator Lere Oyewumi, pressure will not silence him, and a reckless show of force will not defeat his resolve,” the statement added.
The office also urged residents of Ikire to remain calm and participate in the electoral process without fear.
“We urge the resilient people of Ikire to remain fearless, resolute, and completely undeterred by these state-sponsored tactics,” it said.
The senator’s media unit also called on civil society organisations, human rights groups and the international community to monitor the development and demand accountability over the alleged operation.
It further alleged that some individuals were working to undermine what it described as President Bola Tinubu’s intentions regarding the Osun governorship election.
“It is very sad that some dissidents were hell-bent on tarnishing the good intentions of Mr. President on Osun election,” the statement said.
Court had restrained police from arresting Oyewumi
The reported incident comes weeks after the Osun State High Court sitting in Ikire ruled that the Nigerian Police Force violated Oyewumi’s constitutional rights through repeated invitations, intimidation and threats of arrest.
The court consequently issued a perpetual injunction restraining the police from further disturbing, arresting, intimidating, harassing, inviting or molesting the senator.
The judgment was delivered by Justice J.O. Owolawi in a fundamental rights enforcement suit filed by Oyewumi against the Inspector-General of Police, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone XI, Osogbo, the Commissioner of Police, Osun State Command, and the Nigeria Police Force.
In the judgment delivered on June 23, 2026, the court held that the police failed to challenge the senator’s evidence despite being served with the relevant court processes and hearing notices.
The court therefore treated Oyewumi’s affidavit evidence as uncontroverted.
Justice Owolawi subsequently held that the “consistent, persistent and continuous acts of intimidating, victimization, incessant invitations and threatening of arrest” against the senator were wrongful, unlawful and unconstitutional, as they violated the protections guaranteed under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution.
The court also permanently restrained the police and their officers from “disturbing, arresting, intimidating, harassing, inviting and molesting or further threatening” the senator.
Oyewumi is a member of the Accord Party, having defected from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in March 2026. Osun State Governor Ademola Adeleke also left the PDP for the Accord Party during the same period.
As of the time of filing this report, there was no independent confirmation of the alleged midnight operation or an official statement from the police explaining the circumstances surrounding the reported deployment.