No fewer than 143 persons suspected of being electoral mercenaries have been arrested by the Osun State Police Command at the residence of a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, in Ikire, Irewole Local Government Area.
Inaolaji, who represents Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was also arrested during the police operation on Friday night, while more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) were reportedly recovered.
In a video clip, the lawmaker identified himself and allegedly stated that he facilitated the movement of the 143 suspects into Osun State from neighbouring states to participate in the governorship election.
Police said preliminary investigations indicated that the suspects were recruited from Ondo to Osun State to participate in unlawful electoral activities. Related News Osun Decides: PWDs, elderly participate as voting begins in Ikire Osun Decides: Adeleke urges IGP to check alleged disruption plan Osun Poll: APC, Accord accused of wage war over N20,000 votes
Some of them allegedly told investigators that a The suspects reportedly told investigators that they were recruited by a yet-to-be-identified politician, who allegedly facilitated the procurement of voters’ cards for them and instructed them to vote in exchange for financial rewards.
