. They’re registered voters, I didn’t hire them, Assembly member insists
Police in Osun have confirmed the arrest of a member of the state’s House of Assembly Abiola Ibrahim, an Accord lawmaker representing Irewole/Isokan State Constituency and 146 suspected mercenaries.
State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, who confirmed the arrest on Saturday, said police operatives from the Federal Bureau of Investigation-Intelligence Response Team arrested the lawmaker and the other suspects.
It was earlier reported that over 100 intending voters, allegedly imported by an Accord Party member ahead of the gubernatorial election in Osun State, were arrested.
Confirming the development, the PPRO said, “He was arrested in Ikire for harbouring suspected mercenaries. He was arrested with about 146 people.
“FBI-IRT arrested him. He is in their custody. He was arrested in the early hours of Saturday,”
Footage of the interception showed uniformed police officers interrogating Ibrahim at his residence regarding the presence of the suspected mercenaries.
But when asked in the video, the lawmaker insisted that the individuals gathered were registered voters present to participate in the election.
“They are voters for the election happening today. Some of them are indigenes from outside. I did not hire them. I did not promise anything. Voting is their choice. I’m not their agent,” he said.
