Police arrest Amotekun personnel, Adeleke’s Commissioner
Accord, APC bicker over circumstances
Members of the Accord and the Osun state Police Command have bickered over the circumstances surrounding the arrest of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin.
Spokesperson of the Accord, Pelumi Olajengbesi accused the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu of ordering arrests of members of Accord without justification. He said Adejoorin was arrested over his refusal to support the APC candidate in the August governorship election.
He urged the Police to act professionally and shun partisanship.
Olajengbesi said, “Nigeria Police Force belongs to the Nigerian people. It does not belong to the APC. It does not belong to Accord. It does not belong to PDP. It does not belong to any candidate or political godfather. Its duty is to protect the law and guarantee the safety of every citizen, regardless of political affiliation.
“We call on you to rein in the Osun State Police Command and Mr Gottan in particular and immediately investigate the disturbing pattern of arrests involving Accord leaders, particularly in Ijesaland.
“We demand the immediate release of Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, as we believe, there is no lawful and credible basis for his abduction and detention.”
Also reacting, lawmaker representing Obokun State Constituency and member of Accord, Adewumi Adeyemi said the prople of Obokun will soon storm the street to protest if the arrested individuals are not released.
The lawmaker said the people of his constituency are tired of the arrests and intimidation and will soon.
Meanwhile, the Osun State Police Command has disclosed that his men arrested the one operative of Amotekun and the commissioner.
DSP Abiodun Ojelabi in a statement obtained by InsightMedia said the arrest was made after some Amotekun officers opened fire on members of a political holding rally in Ilesa.
Ojelabi pointed to Amotekun as being responsible for the shooting that left four persons injured.
Police said it recovered bullet carcas at the spot.
His statement read in part, “The Osun State Police Command has commenced investigation into a shooting incident which occurred around Ilesa, Osun State, during a procession by supporters of a political party.
“The incident reportedly occurred when some suspected armed men alighted from a vehicle with registration number OSHA 04 and allegedly fired sporadically in the vicinity of the ongoing political procession. Some of the individuals involved were reportedly dressed as personnel of the Osun State Security Network Agency, also known as Amotekun.
“Three persons, namely Tobi Ilesanmi ‘M’, Wasiu Alanide ‘M’, and Aderemi Adedeji ‘M’, reportedly sustained gunshot injuries during the incident. They have been evacuated to a hospital where they are currently receiving medical attention and responding to treatment.
“Following the incident, some courageous members of the public reportedly pursued the fleeing suspects and caught up with some of them. It was further alleged that one of the suspected Amotekun personnel produced a knife and attempted to use it against those who apprehended them, thereby creating an opportunity for him to escape.
“Upon receipt of the information, operatives of the FID-IRT swiftly mobilised to the area. During the operation, a Lexus vehicle with registration number ABJ-89TS was sighted. An individual identified as an Amotekun personnel and found in possession of a pump-action firearm was reportedly inside the vehicle.
“The vehicle and its occupants were subsequently taken into custody and transferred to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) for questioning and further investigation.
“Preliminary investigation has identified one of the occupants as Hon. Mayowa Anjorin, Commissioner for Environment, Osun State, while the Amotekun personnel was identified as Odeyemi Abimbiola.
“The Command is also aware of allegations and claims linking certain individuals, including Hon. Wale Akerele, to the incident. However, the Police wish to emphasise that these are presently allegations under investigation, and no individual should be presumed guilty until the investigation establishes otherwise.”
APC condemns shooting of members
The APC has condemned the attack on its members accusing the Chief Whip of the Osun State House of Assembly, Wale Akerele as the mastermind of the attack.
Oluremi Omowaiye, head of the APC Governorship Campaign Media Committee said the members of the APC were holding peaceful rally before the attack was launched.
Omowaiye said, “Our members were holding a peaceful campaign procession in Ilesa West when Hon. Akerele, accompanied by armed Amotekun personnel, opened direct fire on the crowd.
“Scores of APC members sustained injuries while scampering for safety. Four individuals, including a 12-year-old boy, Oluwatobi Ilesanmi, were shot.
“The victims of the gunfire have been rushed to an undisclosed hospital in Ilesa for urgent medical attention.
“We call on the Nigeria Police Force and other relevant security agencies to immediately arrest and investigate Hon. Wale Akerele and the participating Amotekun operatives.”
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