Osun
The Osun State Police Command has defended the arrest of the Accord Party House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Popoola Alaba, insisting the action was based on an existing petition alleging criminal offences and not politically motivated.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, the command said Alaba’s arrest followed a petition dated July 4, addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and subsequently referred to the Osun State Police Command for investigation.
Ojelabi disclosed that a joint team of police operatives from the Force Headquarters in Abuja and the Osun State Police Command carried out the operation that led to Alaba’s arrest.
The police spokesperson explained that the arrest was effected following the petition submitted against the Accord candidate, which was referred to the command by the Inspector-General of Police for investigation.
He further alleged that four individuals who were with Alaba attempted to obstruct the operation by trying to free him from police custody, during which they allegedly attacked police officers and damaged a police vehicle.
According to the police, the four suspects were subsequently arrested in connection with the alleged assault on officers and the destruction of police property.
Earlier, the Imole Campaign Council, in a statement signed by the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, Bamidele Salam, alleged that Alaba and three other Accord Party members were forcibly arrested by police officers while meeting with party canvassers.
The council claimed the Accord candidate was later taken to the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo, alleging that several party members were assaulted during the operation.
It further described the arrest as politically motivated and accused Senator Francis Fadahunsi, representing Osun East Senatorial District, of masterminding the action to prevent Alaba and other Accord leaders from participating in election activities.
The council also alleged that it had intelligence indicating that the arrests were preceded by a meeting involving senior security officials.
Reacting to the allegations, Senator Francis Fadahunsi’s media adviser, Sam Segun-Progress, dismissed the claims as baseless and lacking credible evidence.
Segun-Progress maintained that the senator had no involvement in either Alaba’s arrest or the ongoing police investigation.
He described attempts to link the senator to the incident as unfair and an effort to tarnish his reputation without any verifiable proof.