The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with a shooting incident during an All Progressives Congress (APC) rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
The arrest has, however, triggered a political dispute, with the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, accusing the police of bias and alleging that the commissioner was being politically targeted.
The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 believed to be connected to the incident.
According to Ojelabi, the shooting occurred after a vehicle with registration number OSHAO4 was parked near the APC rally and individuals identified as personnel of the Amotekun Corps allegedly emerged from the vehicle and opened fire.
He said some APC supporters chased the fleeing personnel, adding that one of those apprehended allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to attack people before escaping.
Ojelabi said the incident was subsequently reported to the police, prompting tactical teams to deploy to different locations in the area.
He said officers from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) later intercepted the white Lexus 350 and found an Amotekun operative and another occupant inside the vehicle.
The two men were taken to the police headquarters for questioning, where investigators identified the second occupant as Adejoorin, according to the police spokesperson.
The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the roles, if any, of those arrested.
Campaign Council Alleges Political Targeting
Reacting to the arrest, the Imole Campaign Council accused the Osun State Police Command of indiscriminate arrests and intimidation of political leaders and supporters in Ijesaland.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that Adejoorin was arrested while travelling from Ilesa to Osogbo and claimed that the arrest was politically motivated.
Olajengbesi further alleged that the commissioner had previously received a threatening phone call from a federal lawmaker, who he claimed warned him that he would be arrested.
The campaign council described the arrest as unlawful and demanded Adejoorin’s immediate release, while calling on the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to intervene.
The council questioned the basis for the arrest and demanded that the police provide evidence linking the commissioner to the shooting.
It also accused the police of targeting members of the Accord Party and other political figures in Ijesaland ahead of the electoral process.
The police have not publicly confirmed the political allegations made by the campaign council.
The investigation into the Ilesa shooting is continuing as authorities seek to establish what led to the incident and determine the responsibility of those involved.
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