The Chairman of the Nigeria Labour Congress in Osun State, Christopher Arapasopo, on Monday demanded an immediate end to what he described as the serial arrest of workers within the premises of local government secretariats across the state.
Although the Osun State Police Command did not confirm the arrest of any staff, sources within the All Progressives Congress in the state said between two and three local government workers were apprehended while allegedly attempting to smuggle documents out of council secretariats.
The suspects were reportedly arrested at the Boluwaduro Local Government headquarters in Otan Ayegbaju and the Egbedore Local Government Secretariat in Awo, Osun State, shortly after workers who had been on strike for nearly 11 months resumed duty across the state.
Pictures and videos purportedly showing the arrested workers alongside documents allegedly found in their possession were also circulated on social media on Monday.
Speaking at the 2026 annual prayer event organised by the Osun State Government at the Government Secretariat in Abere, Arapasopo vowed that organised labour would embark on industrial action if the alleged harassment did not stop immediately.
The NLC chairman said reports from local government areas indicated that “the police are actively supporting some politicians to parade and humiliate local government workers,” adding that “it is unacceptable for the police to be involved in such disgraceful acts.”
He said workers should not be criminalised for complying with public service rules at their workplaces, noting, “Our members have done nothing wrong, and this harassment must stop without delay.
“We have seen videos and pictures of our members being forced to kneel down, and we condemn this conduct. We call on the police to release them immediately. We declare our solidarity with our members. The police should stop allowing themselves to be used by the APC in such illegal roles.
“The APC is trying to plunge Osun into crisis. They want to create mayhem. We will not help them to destroy our state. We will resist legally and lawfully. We are a pressure group.
“We warn the police to stop harassing our people. We will not tolerate continued harassment of workers at the local government level.
“The governor has done so much for labour and the people of Osun, and we will reciprocate appropriately. We will vote accordingly and monitor the process. We will deliver accordingly. We want the APC to see us clearly. We will not run away from anybody.”
Reacting, the Osun State Police Command neither confirmed nor denied the arrest of the workers.
The command’s Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, told PUNCH Online, “Regarding the arrest of staff, I do not have any report yet on that.”
Explaining the police role in securing local government areas following the workers’ resumption, Ojelabi said, “The local government secretariat is a public place, and anyone with legitimate business can come in. However, anyone — politician or otherwise — coming to cause trouble will not be tolerated.
“Anyone coming to foment trouble will face the full wrath of the law, regardless of party affiliation. That is the directive. No police operative smuggled anyone into the council areas.”
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