Osun poll: Accord Party lawmaker, 146 suspects arrested — Police

Police operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation -Intelligence Response Team have arrested the lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, in Ikire for allegedly harbouring about 146 suspected mercenaries.

PUNCH Online earlier reported a viral video showing policemen confronting the lawmaker and the large group of individuals whom Ibrahim said were voters.

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

Ojelabi said, “He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people.

“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday.”

Footage of the interception showed uniformed police officers interrogating Ibrahim at the residence regarding the presence of the dozens of people gathered on election day.

When questioned by officers on site, the lawmaker insisted that the individuals gathered were registered voters present to participate in the election.

“They are voters for the election happening today,” Ibrahim stated in the video.

“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,” he said, identifying himself as a member of the Accord Party.