‘Naval Commander Who Ordered Arrest of APC Candidate Found With Gun In Osun Redeployed, Politician Freed’

14th August, 2026 | News

Naval Commander Redeployed After Arrest of Osun APC Candidate as Politician Is Released

The Naval Commander who ordered the arrest of an All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate in Osun State over the alleged possession of a firearm has reportedly been redeployed, while the politician has been released, according to sources cited by SaharaReporters.

Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, the APC candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area, was reportedly arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel in Ifewara after a routine search allegedly uncovered a gun in a campaign vehicle.

Sources claimed that the arrest attracted widespread public attention after the incident became viral, prompting what they described as intervention from senior authorities.

According to the report, the Naval Commander who ordered the arrest was subsequently redeployed, while Komolafe and the other individuals detained in connection with the incident were released following instructions from higher authorities.

The arrest reportedly occurred while Komolafe was travelling with APC supporters in a campaign vehicle linked to the party’s governorship campaign. Navy personnel allegedly discovered a firearm during a routine inspection, and a video circulated online showing those arrested being paraded by military officials.

The incident came less than 48 hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for August 15, 2026, at a time of heightened political tension in the state.

As of the time of the report, the Nigerian Navy had not issued an official statement confirming the alleged redeployment of the Commander or explaining the circumstances surrounding Komolafe’s release. The claims regarding the intervention of senior authorities were based on anonymous sources cited by SaharaReporters and had not been independently verified.