Sources told SaharaReporters that the Commander was redeployed on the strength of an order from above shortly after the arrest became viral and sparked public outrage.
The Naval Commander who ordered the arrest of the All Progressives Congress (APC) House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area of Osun State, Hon. Babatunde Komolafe Festus, over alleged possession of a gun has been redeployed, while the politician has been released following what sources described as “orders from above.”
Sources told SaharaReporters that the Commander was redeployed on the strength of an order from above shortly after the arrest became viral and sparked public outrage.
“The Naval Commander who arrested Komolafe and the other suspects has been redeployed,” a source told SaharaReporters.
“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,” the source told SaharaReporters
SaharaReporters also gathered that Komolafe, who was allegedly arrested with a gun, has been freed based on an order from senior authorities.
“They have freed the House of Assembly Candidate Komolafe based on orders from those high up,” the source told SaharaReporters.
“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,” a source told SaharaReporters.
The development comes shortly after Komolafe was reportedly apprehended by Nigerian Navy personnel in his hometown, Ifewara, Osun State, while allegedly in possession of a firearm.
Earlier, SaharaReporters reported that the APC House of Assembly candidate for Atakumosa East/West Local Government Area was arrested on Thursday while travelling in a campaign vehicle belonging to the APC alongside other supporters.
Sources said the arrest followed a routine search conducted by Navy personnel, during which a gun was allegedly discovered in 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 video obtained by SaharaReporters showed Navy officials parading the apprehended persons following the incident.
The arrest came about 48 hours before the Osun State governorship election scheduled for Saturday, August 15, 2026, amid heightened political tension and concerns over alleged threats and inflammatory statements by political actors.
There was also no immediate official statement from the Nigerian Navy explaining the alleged redeployment or explaining the circumstances of Komolafe’s release.