Operatives of the Osun State Police Command have arrested a serving lawmaker, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, alongside 143 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence in Ikire.
Inaolaji represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly. He was picked up during a police operation on Friday night.The police also said more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards, PVCs, were recovered from the premises.
Alleged Confession In a video clip released by the command, the lawmaker was seen making a preliminary statement where he identified himself and allegedly confessed to facilitating the movement of the 143 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states to vote in the election.
According to the police, preliminary findings showed the suspects were brought in from *Ondo State* to take part in unlawful electoral activities.The suspects reportedly told investigators that they were recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician.
They alleged the politician procured the voters’ cards for them and promised financial rewards in exchange for voting.*Police Confirm Arrest Confirming the development, the command spokesperson, SP Abiodun Ojelabi, said investigations had commenced to track other accomplices still at large.“
The command is working to unravel the full extent of the alleged network involved in the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other related offences,” Ojelabi said.
He added that the arrest was part of intensified security operations ahead of the election, aimed at preventing acts capable of undermining the credibility of the poll.The police said further updates would be provided as investigations progress.
