The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, in connection with a shooting incident that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday.
Adejoorin’s arrest has, however, sparked criticism from the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which accused the police of carrying out politically motivated arrests and targeting members of the Accord Party.
According to the state police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, the commissioner was arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 allegedly linked to the incident.
Ojelabi said the trouble began when a vehicle with registration number OSHAO4 was parked close to the APC campaign venue, after which some individuals identified as Amotekun personnel reportedly emerged from the vehicle and fired shots.
He explained that some APC supporters pursued the fleeing individuals, with one of them allegedly pulling out a knife when confronted before managing to escape.
The police spokesperson said the incident was subsequently reported to the command, prompting tactical teams deployed across the area to respond.
He said the tactical officers later intercepted a white Lexus 350 approaching them and found an Amotekun operative and another occupant inside.
The two men were taken to the police headquarters for questioning, where the second occupant was identified as Adejoorin.
Ojelabi said investigations were ongoing to establish the commissioner’s level of involvement in the shooting.
The police spokesperson said, “There was a rally by APC in some parts of Ilesa. The rally was on when they discovered a vehicle parked beside them bearing a particular plate number, OSHAO4, and some people identified as Amotekun Personnel came out of the car and shot sporadically, and everybody ran for safety.
“So some brave men among those that were doing the rally chased those Amotekun personnel passengers. The one they were able to catch drew out a knife and tried to stab anyone who came close to him, and he used that technique to escape.”
On the police response, Ojelabi said, “The matter was reported to the police, and based on our own, we already have our tactical teams on the ground. We have over four IRT tactical teams on the ground posted to different locations.
“So the IRT that was closer to that place responded to that incident. On getting to the scene, they saw a vehicle that was approaching them, a white Lexus 350.
“On intercepting the vehicle, they saw an Amotekun personnel in the vehicle. So they apprehended the vehicle, the personnel and one other person in the vehicle. They brought them straight to the headquarters here. On interrogation, it was discovered that the other occupant is Honourable Mayowa Adejoorin.”
Reacting to the arrest, the Imole Campaign Council accused the police of intimidation and what it described as politically selective arrests involving Accord Party leaders and supporters across Ijesaland.
The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, alleged that Adejoorin was arrested outside Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo and claimed that the action was linked to instructions from a federal lawmaker.
Olajengbesi further alleged that the commissioner had received a phone call from the lawmaker shortly before his arrest and was threatened with detention.
Describing the arrest as troubling, he said, “The latest victim of this alarming pattern is the Honourable Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, a prominent native of Ikiyinwa in Obokun Local Government Area of the state.
“The manner of his arrest is particularly disturbing. We consider what happened to Hon Adejoorin nothing short of a bandit-line abduction carried out under the cover of police authority.
“For some time now, we have witnessed a disturbing pattern in which prominent Accord leaders and supporters in Ijesaland are picked up by the Police on allegations that are apparently motivated by sinister political calculations, kept away from their families, communities and campaign activities, and thereby removed from circulation at a critical period of the electoral process.”
The campaign council called on the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, to intervene in the matter and investigate the conduct of the Osun State Police Command.
Olajengbesi also questioned the justification for Adejoorin’s arrest, asking what offence the commissioner had committed and what evidence had been presented against him.
He said, “On what basis was Hon Mayowa Adejoorin arrested? What offence has he committed? What evidence exists against him?
“Why was his arrest carried out in such a manner? And why does the Police appear increasingly willing to deploy its powers only against Accord political leaders at this critical moment in our democratic process?
“We demand the immediate release of Hon Mayowa Adejoorin, as we believe, there is no lawful and credible basis for his abduction and detention.
“Let me also make this clear to the Police command and to the frustrated APC leaders who are sponsoring these actions: The Accord will not be intimidated. You may arrest our leaders. But you cannot arrest the will of the people.”
The police said the investigation would determine the circumstances surrounding the shooting and Adejoorin’s alleged connection to the incident.
