Reported by: Ijeoma G | Edited by: Oravbiere Osayomore Promise.
Nigerian Naval commander who ordered the arrest of an All Progressives Congress House of Assembly candidate after a firearm was allegedly discovered in his campaign vehicle has been redeployed, while the politician has been released, following what security sources have described as "orders from above." The dramatic turn of events, which unfolded just two days before Saturday's Osun State governorship election, has sparked outrage among civil society groups and legal practitioners, who view the development as a troubling sign of political interference in law enforcement. This is according to sources that told SaharaReporters.
The APC candidate, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, who is vying for the Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area seat in the Osun State House of Assembly, was arrested on Thursday, August 13, 2026, in his hometown of Ifewara, Osun State. According to multiple security sources, Komolafe was travelling in a campaign vehicle belonging to the APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, alongside other supporters when personnel of the Nigerian Navy conducted a routine search and allegedly discovered a firearm inside the vehicle. A video that surfaced shortly after the incident showed Navy personnel parading the apprehended individuals.
However, within hours of the arrest, the narrative took a sharp and controversial turn. Sources told SaharaReporters that the Naval commander who ordered the arrest was redeployed on the strength of a directive from senior authorities, while Komolafe was released. "When the news went viral, those from above became agitated, and the Commander who had the effrontery to order such arrest was made a scapegoat," a source told SaharaReporters. Another source added: "They have freed the House of Assembly Candidate Komolafe based on orders from those high up. After the report went viral, instead of taking action, they let Komolafe go while the Naval officer who stood up to the occasion was punished".
As of the time of filing this report, there was no official statement from the Nigerian Navy confirming the arrest, the alleged redeployment of the commander, or the circumstances of Komolafe's release. The APC had also not publicly provided an official account of the incident. The development comes amid heightened political tension ahead of Saturday's Osun State governorship election, which has already been marked by allegations of political violence, police harassment, and inflammatory statements by political actors. The reported arrest of Komolafe and other APC supporters over alleged possession of a firearm has further heightened concerns about security and the activities of political actors ahead of the election.
The incident has drawn sharp criticism from human rights activists and legal practitioners, who have questioned the integrity of the law enforcement process. The decision to release a politician allegedly found in possession of a firearm while punishing the officer who enforced the law has been described as a "dangerous precedent" that could embolden political actors to flout the law with impunity. Civil society groups have called for a thorough investigation into the circumstances surrounding the arrest, the alleged redeployment of the commander, and the release of the suspect. They have also urged the Nigerian Navy to issue a public statement clarifying its position on the matter.
The Osun State governorship election, scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, is widely regarded as a bellwether for the 2027 general elections. The outcome of the poll will not only determine who governs Osun State for the next four years but will also shape the political calculations of parties and candidates as they prepare for the national polls. The controversy surrounding the arrest and release of Komolafe has added a new layer of tension to an already volatile political atmosphere, raising questions about the impartiality of security agencies and the rule of law.
For the Naval commander who stood his ground, the cost of doing his duty has been professional punishment. For the politician who was allegedly found with a gun, the cost has been nothing at all. As Osun State prepares to go to the polls on Saturday, the message from this incident is unmistakable: in the high-stakes game of Nigerian politics, the law is often a flexible instrument, and those who enforce it too zealously may find themselves on the wrong side of the "orders from above."
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