The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, and 143 suspected electoral mercenaries allegedly camped at his residence in Ikire.
Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested during a police operation on Friday night. More than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were reportedly recovered from the location.
A video circulating online showed the lawmaker giving a preliminary statement to the police, where he identified himself and allegedly admitted to facilitating the movement of the 143 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states ahead of the election.
The police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were brought into the state from Ondo State to participate in alleged unlawful electoral activities.
According to investigators, some of the suspects claimed they were recruited by a politician whose identity had not yet been established. They allegedly said the politician helped secure voters’ cards for them and promised them financial rewards in exchange for voting during the election.
The arrest comes amid heightened security operations across Osun State ahead of the election, with the police warning against activities capable of compromising the integrity of the electoral process.
Police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrests and said investigations were ongoing to identify and apprehend other individuals allegedly connected to the operation.
He added that the investigation would also determine the extent of the alleged network involving the recruitment of electoral mercenaries, voter inducement and other electoral offences.
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