Police operatives attached to the Federal Bureau of Investigation Intelligence Response Team (FBI-IRT) have arrested a member of the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, over allegations that he harboured about 146 suspected mercenaries in Ikire.
Ibrahim represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the state assembly.
His arrest occurred in the early hours of Saturday, as security operatives intensified surveillance ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the development during a telephone interview, stating that the lawmaker was taken into custody alongside the individuals found at the residence.
“He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people,” Ojelabi said.
According to the police spokesperson, Ibrahim remains in the custody of the FBI-IRT.
The development followed the emergence of a viral video showing armed police officers confronting the lawmaker at a private residence where a large number of people had gathered.
In the footage, the officers questioned Ibrahim about the identity and purpose of the individuals at the location.
The lawmaker, however, maintained that those present were voters who had gathered to participate in the election.
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“They are voters for the election happening today,” Ibrahim said.
He further explained that some of the individuals were indigenes who had come from outside the area, while denying that he had recruited or hired them.
“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 stated.
Ibrahim also identified himself as a member of the Accord Party.
The circumstances surrounding the arrest and the identities of the 146 individuals were not immediately disclosed by the police.
The development has added to heightened security concerns surrounding the Osun governorship election, with security agencies maintaining increased presence across various parts of the state.
Further investigations are expected to determine the identities of those arrested and whether they have any connection to alleged election-related activities.
