Adeleke campaign council, police clash over Reps candidate’s arrest

The Imole Campaign Council and the Osun State Police Command are in a public dispute over the arrest of Popoola Alaba, the Accord Party's candidate for the Ijesa South House of Representatives. The campaign council demanded Alaba's immediate release, alleging he and three other party members were abducted by police officers led by Wemimo, a security detail for Senator Francis Fadahunsi.

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Alaba and three other Accord Party members were abducted on Saturday by a team of police officers led by one Wemimo, said to be the security details of the senator representing Osun East Senatorial District, Francis Fadahunsi.

According to the council, the arrests occurred while Alaba was meeting with Accord Party canvassers. They claim the police forcefully took them to the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo and accused the police of assaulting other party members. The council further alleged that Senator Fadahunsi orchestrated the arrest to prevent Alaba and other Accord leaders from participating in the upcoming elections. They also claimed credible intelligence indicates a secret meeting between Senator Fadahunsi, Osun Commissioner of Police Ibrahim Gotan, and another top security official, where plans were made to unlawfully detain Accord leaders.

Adding to the tension, the council accused the police of acting as political agents and harassing Accord Party members. They reported that Yomi Akanji, a party member, was shot dead by suspected political thugs near his home in Osogbo on Friday evening while in his car. The council stated that the Osun State Police Command and Commissioner Ibrahim Gotan would be held accountable if anything happens to Alaba.

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Information available to us indicates that the arrest was masterminded by Senator Fadahunsi whose intention it is to keep Alaba and several other Accord leaders out of circulation till after elections.

However, the Police Public Relations Officer, Abiodun Ojelabi, refuted these claims. Ojelabi stated that Alaba was arrested following a petition dated July 4, which cited illegal mining and other offenses. He also mentioned that four individuals arrested with Alaba attacked police operatives in an attempt to free the suspect and damaged a police vehicle during the apprehension.

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He (Alaba) was arrested due to a petition written against him dated July 4. The petition was written to the Inspector General of Police, and it was sent to the command. A team from Abuja was joined by our operatives from the command. Four people arrested with Alaba attacked our operatives while trying to free the suspect. They also damaged a police vehicle.