Osun Poll: Accord Party Lawmaker, 146 Suspects Arrested — Police

Police operatives have arrested an Accord Party lawmaker in Osun State, Abiola Ibrahim, alongside about 146 people allegedly found at his residence in Ikire on Saturday, the day of the state governorship election.

Ibrahim represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly.

The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview on Saturday.

According to Ojelabi, the lawmaker was arrested by operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team over allegations that he was harbouring suspected mercenaries.

“He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people,” the police spokesperson said.

The development followed the circulation of a video showing uniformed police officers confronting Ibrahim and questioning him about the large number of people gathered at his residence on election day.

In the footage, the lawmaker identified himself as a member of the Accord Party and explained that the individuals at the residence were voters.

When questioned by the officers, Ibrahim said the people had gathered to participate in the governorship election taking place across the state.

“They are voters for the election happening today,” he said.

He further explained that some of the people were indigenes of the area while others had come from outside the community.

“Some of them are, some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything. Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” Ibrahim said.

The police, however, reportedly considered the circumstances surrounding the gathering suspicious and proceeded with the arrest of the lawmaker and the individuals.

The arrest comes amid heightened security operations across Osun State as voters participate in the governorship election.

Security agencies had earlier announced measures aimed at preventing violence, voter intimidation and the movement of unauthorised groups during the election.

The police had also restricted movement across the state from midnight on Friday until 6:00 p.m. on Saturday and warned non-state security groups, vigilantes and other unauthorised bodies to stay away from election-related security operations.

The circumstances surrounding the arrest and the identities of those detained are expected to be clarified as police authorities continue their investigation into the incident.