Security concerns have heightened in Ife North Local Government Area following the arrest of a man attempting to remove official documents from the council secretariat. The suspect, identified as Mr. Oyedoyin Akinlolu Mathew, was intercepted by the Executive Chairman of the LGA, Honourable Ebenezer Adeyeba Ayoola, alongside council members, before being handed over to the police for further investigation.
Honourable Ayoola raised alarm over what he described as the increasing desperation of the Osun State PDP-led government and its agents to exploit lapses in council security. He called on all local government chairmen and officials across the state to remain vigilant to prevent unauthorized access to government facilities and safeguard critical documents from potential misuse.
The incident occurred early Monday morning when the suspect was spotted sneaking into an office within the secretariat. The chairman, who initially assumed Mr. Mathew was a member of the NULGE faction resuming work, grew suspicious after noticing him leaving with documents in hand. Upon being stopped and questioned, the suspect failed to provide identification but claimed he was an employee of the Osun State Accountant-General’s office.
According to Mr. Mathew, his superior, identified as Mr. Ola Mathew, had instructed him to retrieve documents from the liaison office within the council secretariat. The seized documents reportedly contained financial details related to retirees’ pensions for 2023 and 2024. He also alleged that the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the secretariat had granted him access to the premises. However, inconsistencies in his explanation and his inability to present official credentials led to his immediate arrest.
Speaking on the incident, Honourable Ayoola emphasized the need for heightened security, particularly amid the ongoing push for local government autonomy.
“I immediately contacted the police when it became clear that the suspect lacked identification, his story was inconsistent, and the documents he was carrying contained sensitive financial information. We have been warned by the Presidency and our leaders in Osun State that any financial impropriety traced to any council during this period of autonomy will be treated with utmost seriousness. With similar incidents reported in Ede North and Ede South LGA secretariats, we must remain on high alert. Eternal vigilance is the price of liberty, and I urge all councils to be watchful against intruders with malicious intent.”
As of press time, both Mr. Mathew and the CSO are in police custody, assisting with the ongoing investigation.
