The All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West State Constituency of Osun State, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, has reportedly been arrested by Nigerian Navy personnel over alleged possession of a firearm.
Komolafe was reportedly apprehended on Thursday in Ifewara, his hometown, while travelling in an APC campaign vehicle alongside other party supporters.
Sources said the arrest followed a routine search by Navy personnel, during which a rifle was allegedly found inside the vehicle. 
“He was arrested today after a routine search by Navy officials exposed him and other supporters with a gun. They were in the campaign vehicle of APC candidate Bola Oyebamiji when they were caught,” a source said.
A video obtained in connection with the incident showed Navy personnel parading the individuals who were reportedly apprehended.
The development comes about 48 hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, amid heightened political tension and concerns over possible violence and intimidation during the poll.
The reported arrest also comes days after controversial remarks attributed to an APC chieftain in Osun State, Mutali Adisa, the Seriki of Ikire.
Adisa had reportedly warned residents of Ikire who were unwilling to vote for APC governorship candidate, Bola Oyebamiji, not to attempt to cross a “gutter” in the town on election day.
Speaking to APC supporters in Ikire, Oyebamiji’s hometown, Adisa expressed confidence that the party’s candidate would win the election, saying Oyebamiji had already secured victory and only needed a strong percentage of votes from the community.
“We are sure of victory given all the works we have done in the campaign. Ambo (referring to the APC candidate) is sure of victory, what he needs is percentage in Ikire, he has won already,” he said.
He subsequently issued what appeared to be a warning to residents who might not support the APC candidate.
“We should however tell those who are not willing to vote for Ambo the truth, they should not even try to cross the gutter on election day in Ikire,” Adisa said in a video.
The remarks have generated concerns among political stakeholders and civil society groups, particularly with the governorship election just days away.
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.
Meanwhile, human rights lawyer and activist Deji Adeyanju reportedly disclosed on Wednesday that he and his colleagues had petitioned the governments of the United States, United Kingdom and Canada to consider visa restrictions against Senator Francis Fadahunsi over alleged involvement in activities linked to violence against members of the Accord Party ahead of the election.
The allegations against Fadahunsi remain subject to due process and should not be treated as established fact.
The latest development is expected to increase scrutiny of political activities, campaign conduct and security arrangements ahead of Saturday’s Osun governorship election.
