By Peter Omopo
The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) in Osun State has condemned the alleged arrest of local government workers across the state, demanding an immediate halt to what it described as harassment of its members.
The state NLC Chairman, Christopher Arapasopo, raised the alarm on Monday following reports that between two and three local government staff members were apprehended at separate council secretariats shortly after workers resumed duties after nearly 11 months of industrial action.
Although the Osun State Police Command did not confirm the arrests, sources within the All Progressives Congress (APC) said the affected workers were allegedly arrested while attempting to remove documents from local government offices. The incidents reportedly occurred at the Boluwaduro Local Government Secretariat in Otan Ayegbaju and the Egbedore Local Government Secretariat in Awo.
Pictures and videos circulating on social media showed some workers allegedly arrested alongside documents said to have been recovered from them.
Speaking at the 2026 annual prayer programme organised by the Osun State Government at the Government Secretariat in Abere, Arapasopo described the development as unacceptable and warned that organised labour would take action if the situation persisted.
He condemned what he termed the degrading treatment of workers, including images showing individuals allegedly forced to kneel, and accused the police of being used for political purposes. He called for the immediate release of the affected workers and declared the NLC’s solidarity with them.
Arapasopo further accused the APC of attempting to destabilise the state, warning that labour would resist any actions capable of plunging Osun into crisis. He stressed that the NLC would continue to act within the law while protecting the interests of its members and the stability of the state.
Reacting to the allegations, the Osun Police Command said it had no official report confirming the arrests. The Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, said anyone found causing trouble at public facilities, including local government secretariats, would be dealt with according to the law, regardless of political affiliation.
“Local government secretariats are public places. Anyone coming there to foment trouble will not be tolerated,” Ojelabi said, adding that police operatives were deployed solely to maintain peace and order.
Local government workers returned to work on Monday following a directive by the National Union of Local Government Employees, ending a strike that began on February 17, 2025. The prolonged industrial action stemmed from a political dispute between chairmen elected under the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the APC in the October 15, 2022, local government elections.
Security presence was heavy at council secretariats across the state, with access subjected to checks amid reports of attempts to remove official documents from some offices.
Meanwhile, the Osun APC Director of Media, Kola Olabisi, expressed concern over what he described as the misuse of court processes, which he said had hindered effective local government administration in the state. He accused the state government of shopping for court orders to block access to council funds and stall development.
On his part, the Chairman of the Osun PDP Association of Local Governments, Sarafa Awotunde, accused the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, of partisanship, alleging that security agencies allowed APC chairmen access to council secretariats contrary to prior agreements.
Ojelabi dismissed the allegation, insisting that the police remained neutral and would not tolerate disorder from any individual or political party.
The Chairman of the Osun APC Association of Local Governments, Samuel Idowu, commended workers for a peaceful resumption of duties, noting that there were no major issues in most council areas.
