The Osun State Police Command has arrested three suspects over an alleged assassination attempt on the Director-General of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Governorship Campaign Council, Hon. Wole Oke, assuring residents that those behind the incident would be brought to justice.
Addressing journalists on Thursday, the Commissioner of Police, Ibrahim Gotan, said the arrests followed intelligence-led operations aimed at tackling cultism, political thuggery and other violent crimes threatening peace and security in the state.
The police identified the suspects as Olamilekan Oriyomi, 24; Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo, 44; and Fakinleye Femi, 31. The command said investigations were ongoing and that anyone found culpable would face the full weight of the law.
According to the police, the incident occurred on Tuesday, June 30, after Wole Oke and members of his political party paid a courtesy visit to the Ajalaye of Ipetu-Ijesa, Oba (Dr.) Agunbiade Oke, before proceeding to the town hall for a meeting with party supporters.
The command said shortly after the meeting, a group of suspected political thugs and members of the Eiye Confraternity allegedly led by Olamilekan Oriyomi blocked the exit route of the APC entourage.
Police said Oriyomi allegedly produced an English Beretta pistol loaded with four rounds of live ammunition and was about to point it at Wole Oke before the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) at the venue noticed the action, subdued the suspect and prevented the attack, an intervention that caused panic among those present.
The police further disclosed that officers deployed to provide security at the venue immediately arrested Oriyomi and recovered the pistol along with the live ammunition, while other suspects escaped.
The command said sustained intelligence-led operations by its Violent Crime Response Unit (VCRU) led to the arrest of Ayotunde Ikupolati Ojo and Fakinleye Femi on July 1 in Ipetu-Ijesa.
According to the police, Oriyomi confessed during interrogation that he obtained the firearm from Busuyi Akinwole Ikupolati, also known as “Omo-Akin,” who is currently at large. The suspect was also said to have made statements implicating some influential individuals who are now under police investigation.
The Commissioner of Police assured residents that efforts were ongoing to arrest other fleeing suspects and reiterated the command’s commitment to ensuring a peaceful and secure environment before, during and after the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State.
He also urged residents to remain law-abiding and continue to provide credible and actionable information to security agencies, assuring them that the safety and security of lives and property remain the command’s top priority.