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The Osun State Police Command has arrested the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Mayowa Adejoorin, over the shooting that occurred during an All Progressives Congress rally in Ilesa on Saturday.

The arrest, however, has triggered a reaction from the Imole Campaign Council, the campaign organisation of Governor Ademola Adeleke, which accused the police of bias and alleged that the commissioner was being politically targeted.

The police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was arrested after tactical officers intercepted a white Lexus 350 in connection with the incident.

Ojelabi told our correspondent that the shooting occurred after a vehicle bearing registration number OSHAO4 was parked near the APC rally and persons identified as Amotekun personnel allegedly emerged from it and opened fire.

He said some APC supporters chased the fleeing personnel, adding that one of those caught allegedly pulled out a knife and attempted to stab people before escaping.

Ojelabi said the matter was reported to the police, prompting tactical teams deployed to different locations in the area to respond.

He 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.”

According to the police spokesperson, officers later intercepted the Lexus and arrested an Amotekun operative and another occupant, who were taken to the command headquarters.

He said interrogation established that the second occupant was Adejoorin.

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.”

The police said investigation had commenced to determine Adejoorin’s level of involvement in the incident.

Reacting to the arrest, the Imole Campaign Council accused the police command of indiscriminate arrests, intimidation and alleged abduction of Accord Party leaders and supporters across Ijesaland.

The council’s spokesperson, Pelumi Olajengbesi, addressing journalists in Osogbo alleged that Adejoorin was arrested outside Ilesa while travelling to Osogbo and claimed the police were acting on the instruction of a federal lawmaker.

Olajengbesi said the commissioner had earlier received a call from the lawmaker, during which he was allegedly threatened with arrest.

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 and rein in the Osun State Police Command.

Questioning the basis for the arrest, Olajengbesi 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.”