Osun State Commissioner for Environment, Mayowa Adejoorin, has spoken about his arrest and overnight detention by the police following a shooting during an APC political procession in Ilesa.
Adejoorin, who was released on bail on Sunday, said he was arrested while travelling through Ilesa with his driver and an Amotekun operative assigned to his office.
The commissioner said he was heading to an engagement when his driver passed their destination and had to turn back.
According to Adejoorin, they later encountered a police officer who questioned why an armed Amotekun operative was accompanying him.
He explained that the operative had been officially assigned to provide security for him due to security concerns in the state.
Adejoorin said the officers searched his vehicle and belongings but found nothing incriminating before taking him, the Amotekun operative and his driver to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Osogbo.
He alleged that he was subjected to an inappropriate procedure at the station, which was later stopped after another person intervened.
The commissioner said his driver was eventually released, while he and the Amotekun operative remained in custody.
He described spending the night alone in a cell, saying he was unable to sleep because he was uncertain about what would happen next.
Adejoorin said police officers told him that Amotekun personnel were not permitted to accompany politicians while carrying rifles.
He also claimed that the officers told him they intended to arrest politicians found travelling with armed Amotekun operatives.
The commissioner said he was eventually released on bail, while the Amotekun operative remained in custody.
Adejoorin maintained that the police had not accused him of firing any shots or clearly told him of any offence beyond travelling with the Amotekun operative.
He consequently suggested that the incident may have a political undertone.
POLICE EXPLANATION
Adejoorin was arrested following a shooting during an APC political procession in the Isokun area of Ilesa on Saturday.
The shooting reportedly injured three people, including 14-year-old Tobi Ilesanmi.
Police spokesperson DSP Abiodun Ojelabi said a government vehicle was seen near the rally before individuals identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged and fired shots.
He said people at the scene pursued the operatives, while one reportedly escaped after allegedly pulling out a knife.
According to the police, an Intelligence Response Team responding to a distress call later stopped a white Lexus 350 and found an Amotekun operative inside.
The occupants, including Adejoorin, were taken to the police headquarters in Osogbo for questioning.
Police said four spent cartridges were recovered from the scene, while a pump-action firearm was allegedly recovered from the Amotekun operative.
Ojelabi confirmed Adejoorin’s release on bail around 1 p.m. on Sunday, adding that the Amotekun operative and firearm remained in police custody.
The police said investigations are ongoing to determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and the involvement of those arrested.
