Osun Police Arrest Wanted Gang Leader, Detain Five Others Over Suspected Electoral Offences
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.
The Nigeria Police Force has arrested a suspected criminal gang leader, Abiodun Arowomole, popularly known as "Ashipa," alongside five others during a raid carried out following credible intelligence reports.
According to the police, Arowomole was on the command's watch-list over alleged involvement in murder and other criminal activities. Those arrested include Hon. Igbalaye Teslim, Akande Taiwo, Oladele Abiodun, Adeyemo Lukman, Olaoye Muftau and Aderemi Musliu.
The operation led to the recovery of N4.81 million in cash, a laptop, a photocopy machine, a printer, two voters' cards and a voter register covering wards one to fifteen. Police said the recovered items have been secured for forensic examination as investigations continue.
The presence of electoral materials and cash has raised suspicions of possible electoral offences, including vote buying and criminal conspiracy.
The police have reiterated their commitment to enforcing the law without bias, stressing that no individual is above the law regardless of political or social status. Investigators are currently working to determine the source of the recovered funds and establish the roles of those arrested.
Residents have also been encouraged to provide credible information to support efforts aimed at ensuring a peaceful and transparent electoral process.