Osun election: Lawmaker from Accord Party, 146 other suspects taken into custody by authorities

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Police operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation -Intelligence Response Team have arrested the lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency in the Osun State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim, in Ikire for allegedly harbouring about 146 suspected mercenaries.

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PUNCH Online earlier reported a viral video showing policemen confronting the lawmaker and the large group of individuals whom Ibrahim said were voters.n

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The Osun State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest during a telephone interview with The PUNCH on Saturday.

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Ojelabi said, “He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people.

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“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday.”

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Footage of the interception showed uniformed police officers interrogating Ibrahim at the residence regarding the presence of the dozens of people gathered on election day.

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When questioned by officers on site, the lawmaker insisted that the individuals gathered were registered voters present to participate in the election.

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“They are voters for the election happening today,” Ibrahim stated in the video.

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“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 said, identifying himself as a member of the Accord Party.

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