The Osun State Police Command has arrested Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, an Accord Party lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, alongside 146 suspected mercenaries found camped at his residence in Ikire during Saturday's governorship election.
Police spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi confirmed the arrest, carried out by operatives of the Federal Bureau of Investigation's Intelligence Response Team in the early hours of Saturday. "He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people," Ojelabi said. More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards were reportedly recovered at the scene.
In a video circulated online, Ibrahim identified himself and appeared to acknowledge facilitating the movement of the individuals into Osun State from neighbouring states ahead of the election, though he separately insisted to officers that the group were legitimate voters. "They are voters for the election happening today. 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 Special Assistant on Digital Media to Governor Adeleke separately alleged that security operatives laid siege to the residence of the Osun Assembly Speaker and detained an associate of the governor's, claims that have not been independently confirmed.