Sunday, August 9, 2026 - The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, over the shooting that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
The arrest, however, has triggered a reaction from the Imole
Campaign Council, the campaign organization of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which
accused the police of bias and alleged that the commissioner was being
politically targeted.
The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was
arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 in connection
with the incident.
Ojelabi told our correspondent that the shooting occurred after a vehicle bearing registration number OSHAO4 was parked near the APC rally and persons identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged from it and opened fire
He said some APC supporters chased the fleeing personnel, adding that one of those caught allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab people before escaping.
Ojelabi said the matter was reported to the police,
prompting tactical teams deployed to different locations in the area to
respond.
He said, “There was a rally by APC in some parts of Ilesa.
The rally was on when they discovered a vehicle parked beside them bearing a
particular plate number, OSHAO4, and some people identified as Amotekun
Personnel came out of the car and shot sporadically, and everybody ran for
safety.
“So some brave men among those that were doing the rally
chased those Amotekun personnel passengers.
The one they were able to catch drew out a knife and tried to stab anyone who
came close to him, and he used that technique to escape.”
According to the police spokesperson, officers later
intercepted the Lexus and arrested an Amotekun operative and another occupant,
who were taken to the command headquarters.
He said interrogation established that the second occupant
was Adejoorin.
Ojelabi said, “The matter was reported to the police, and
based on our own, we already have our tactical teams on the ground. We have
over four IRT tactical teams on the ground posted to different locations.
“So the IRT that was closer to that place responded to that
incident. On getting to the scene, they saw a vehicle that was approaching
them, a white Lexus 350.
“On intercepting the vehicle, they saw an Amotekun personnel
in the vehicle. So they apprehended the vehicle, the personnel and one other
person in the vehicle. They brought them straight to the headquarters here. On
interrogation, it was discovered that the other occupant is Honourable Mayowa
Adejoorin.”
The police said investigation had commenced to determine
Adejoorin’s level of involvement in the incident.
Reacting to the arrest, the Imole Campaign Council accused
the police command of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation and alleged
abduction of Accord Party leaders and supporters across Ijesaland.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, addressing
journalists in Osogbo alleged that Adejoorin was arrested outside Ilesa while
travelling to Osogbo and claimed the police were acting on the instruction of a
federal lawmaker.
Olajengbesi said the commissioner had earlier received a
call from the lawmaker, during which he was allegedly threatened with arrest.
He said, “The latest victim of this alarming pattern is the
Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, a
prominent native of Ikiyinwa in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.
“The manner of his arrest is particularly disturbing. We
consider what happened to Hon Adejoorin nothing short of a bandit-line
abduction carried out under the cover of police authority.
“For some time now, we have witnessed a disturbing pattern
in which prominent Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland are picked up by
the Police on allegations that are apparently motivated by sinister political
calculations, kept away from their families, communities and campaign
activities, and thereby removed from circulation at a critical period of the
electoral process.”
The campaign council called on the Inspector-General of
Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene and rein in the Osun State Police Command.
Questioning the basis for the arrest, Olajengbesi said, “On
what basis was Hon Mayowa Adejoorin arrested? What offence has he committed?
What evidence exists against him?
“Why was his arrest carried out in such a manner? And why
does the Police appear increasingly willing to deploy its powers only against
Accord political leaders at this critical moment in our democratic process?
“We demand the immediate release of Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, as
we believe, there is no lawful and credible basis for his abduction and
detention.
“Let me also make this clear to the Police command and to
the frustrated APC leaders who are sponsoring these actions: The Accord will
not be intimidated. You may arrest our leaders. But you cannot arrest the will
of the people.
0 Comments