The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 143 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence in Ikire.
Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the state legislature, was arrested on Friday night during a police operation. More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were reportedly recovered during the operation.
In a video clip released in connection with the arrest, Ibrahim identified himself and allegedly stated that he facilitated the movement of the suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states for the purpose of participating in the election.
The arrest came as the police intensified security operations across the state ahead of the election, with authorities seeking to prevent activities capable of compromising the integrity and credibility of the electoral process.
According to the police, preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought into Osun State from Ondo State to participate in alleged unlawful electoral activities.
The suspects reportedly told investigators that they had been recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician, who allegedly facilitated the procurement of voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the incident and said investigations had commenced to identify and apprehend other suspects who may still be at large.
Ojelabi added that the investigation would also determine the full extent of the alleged network involved in the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences.
The police said the operation forms part of ongoing efforts to safeguard the electoral process and ensure that the election is conducted in a peaceful, transparent and credible manner.
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