Breaking: Top Osun Official and Five Others Detained in Police Clampdown
Police have raided a criminal gang's hideout, arresting a suspected leader and several others, including a politician. Recovered items, including a large sum of cash and voter registers, have raised concerns about potential electoral offences, prompting an intensified investigation into vote buying and criminal conspiracy.
In a significant operation, the Command, through a press release signed by DSP Abiodun Ojelabi on Tuesday, announced the successful apprehension of a criminal gang. This decisive action was initiated following credible intelligence reports indicating the presence of a criminal gang operating within the specified area.
During the meticulously planned raid, police successfully arrested Abiodun Arowomole, widely known by his alias “Ashipa,” who is believed to be the gang leader. Arowomole had been a high-priority individual on the command’s watch-list due to his alleged involvement in murder and various other criminal offences. Alongside Arowomole, several other individuals were apprehended, including Hon. Igbalaye Teslim (47), Akande Taiwo (60), Oladele Abiodun (38), Adeyemo Lukman (45), Olaoye Muftau (50), and Aderemi Musliu (40).
The operation also led to the recovery of substantial evidence. Authorities seized N4,810,500 in cash, a Dynabook laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voters’ cards, and a comprehensive voter register covering wards 1 through 15. All recovered items have been secured and are earmarked for forensic examination as part of the ongoing investigation.
The discovery of a large sum of cash along with sensitive voters' details has raised serious concerns regarding potential electoral offences. Preliminary investigations suggest possible violations including vote buying, which is a contravention of Section 121 of the Electoral Act 2022, as well as criminal conspiracy and harbouring a wanted criminal.
DSP Ojelabi reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force's unwavering commitment to its constitutional duty to enforce the law impartially. He stressed that no individual, regardless of their social standing, political affiliation, or public office, is exempt from legal accountability, assuring that anyone found culpable will face prosecution. The Command is actively intensifying its investigations to ascertain the origin of the recovered funds and to identify all individuals connected to the alleged criminal enterprise. Residents have been urged to maintain peace and to provide any credible information that could contribute to ensuring a peaceful and credible electoral process.