The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Inaolaji, along with 146 suspected political thugs in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area of the state. The arrest was confirmed by the command's Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Abiosun Ojelabi, on Saturday in Osogbo.
Arrest Details and Security Operation
Mr Ojelabi stated that the lawmaker, a member of the Accord party, was arrested by the Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) and Intelligence Response Team (IRT) in the early hours of Saturday. Mr Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was taken into custody during a police operation.
The police spokesperson explained that the arrest was part of intensified security operations aimed at preventing actions that could undermine the credibility of the electoral process. This move comes ahead of the upcoming Osun State elections.
Confession and Viral Video
In a separate development, a viral video clip seen by a News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) correspondent shows a man identified as Ibrahim confessing to facilitating the movement of the 146 suspects to Osun from neighbouring states. In the video, Ibrahim is heard identifying himself and admitting his role in bringing the individuals to the state for the purpose of voting in the election.
The suspects were reportedly transported to Osun from other states, raising concerns about potential electoral malpractice. The police have not yet released further details about the suspects' identities or the specific charges they may face.
Impact on Electoral Integrity
The arrests underscore the security agencies' commitment to ensuring a free and fair electoral process in Osun State. By apprehending suspected thugs and a sitting lawmaker, the police aim to deter any actions that could disrupt the elections.
Authorities have not disclosed whether Mr Inaolaji has been granted bail or when he will appear in court. The investigation is ongoing, and more arrests are not ruled out as security operations continue.
