Osun State Police Command has defended the arrest of the Accord House of Representatives candidate for Ijesa South Federal Constituency, Popoola Alaba, insisting the action followed an existing petition alleging criminal offences rather than any political consideration.
The command’s position came after The Imole Campaign Council, TICC, accused the police of unlawfully arresting Alaba and three other Accord members during a meeting with party canvassers on Saturday, demanding their immediate and unconditional release.
Responding to the allegations, the Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Alaba’s arrest was carried out based on a petition dated July 4, which was addressed to the Inspector-General of Police and subsequently referred to the Osun State Police Command for investigation.
According to Ojelabi, “a joint team comprising operatives from Abuja and officers of the Osun State Police Command executed the operation that led to Alaba’s arrest.
“He was arrested due to a petition written against him dated July 4. The petition was written to the Inspector General of Police, and it was sent to the command.”
The police spokesperson alleged that four individuals who were with Alaba resisted the operation by attempting to free him from police custody and, in the process, attacked officers and damaged a police vehicle.
“Four people arrested with Alaba attacked our operatives while trying to free the suspect. They also damaged a police vehicle,” Ojelabi added.
Earlier, the Imole Campaign Council, through a statement signed by the Chairman of its Media and Publicity Committee, Bamidele Salam, alleged that “Alaba and three other Accord members were forcibly taken away by police officers while meeting party canvassers.”
The council claimed the arrested politician was subsequently moved to the Osun State Police Command headquarters in Osogbo and alleged that several party members were assaulted during the operation.
It alleged that the arrest was politically motivated and accused Senator Francis Fadahunsi, who represents Osun East Senatorial District, of orchestrating the action to prevent Alaba and other Accord leaders from participating in election activities.
The council also claimed it had intelligence suggesting a meeting involving senior security officials preceded the arrests.
Reacting to the accusation, the media adviser to Senator Francis Fadahunsi, Sam Segun-Progress, rejected the claims, describing them as baseless and unsupported by evidence.
He maintained that the senator had no connection with Alaba’s arrest or the police investigation.
“We consider the statement to be unfortunate, reckless and completely devoid of credible evidence. For the avoidance of doubt, Senator Francis Fadahunsi has absolutely nothing to do with the allegations contained in the statement,” Segun-Progress said.
He added that linking the senator to the incident without verifiable proof was unfair and an attempt to damage his reputation.