The Osun State Police Command has arrested a serving member of the State House of Assembly, Hon. Abiola Ibrahim Inaolaji, after more than 200 Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) and 143 suspected electoral mercenaries were allegedly recovered from his residence in Ikire.
Inaolaji, who represents the Irewole/Isokan State Constituency, was arrested during a police operation on Friday night as security agencies intensified surveillance ahead of the Osun State governorship election.
The 143 suspects were reportedly brought into the state from neighbouring Ondo State, with their presence at the lawmaker’s residence raising concerns over alleged plans to interfere with the electoral process.
A video obtained during the operation showed Inaolaji providing a preliminary account of the incident. In the recording, he identified himself and allegedly acknowledged facilitating the movement of the suspects into Osun.
According to the police, preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects may have been recruited for alleged illegal electoral activities.
Investigators were reportedly informed that an unidentified politician mobilised the group, allegedly provided them with voters’ cards and promised financial rewards in exchange for voting according to predetermined instructions.
The recovery of more than 200 PVCs has further widened the scope of the investigation, particularly over the alleged illegal possession of voters’ cards, movement of voters and possible voter inducement.
The state police spokesperson, Abiodun Ojelabi, confirmed the arrest, saying investigations were ongoing.
He said detectives were working to establish the identities of other individuals who may have been connected to the alleged operation.
The police are also expected to determine how the PVCs were obtained, who organised the movement of the suspects into Osun and whether the group was part of a coordinated attempt to manipulate the election.
The arrests came amid heightened security operations across the state ahead of the governorship poll, with security agencies warning against vote buying, voter inducement, impersonation, electoral violence and other offences capable of undermining the credibility of the election.
The command said further details would be released as investigations progress.
