By Ayodele Oni
Police Say Only Black Spots Are Being Raided
Imole Campaign Council, handling Osun state Governor Ademola Adeleke’s re-election bid, has alleged that the State Police Command has compiled a list of 46 people for arrest ahead of the August 15 governorship election.
Speaking to journalists in Osogbo, on Sunday, the council’s Deputy Director-General, Kolapo Alimi, said those on the alleged list are mostly from Ikire, headquarters of Irewole Local Government Area.
According to him, Commissioner for Energy, Ademola Adeyemo, heads the list. Alimi also claimed that Taofeek Akinyemi, an Accord Party chieftain in Ikire who was reportedly shot by hoodlums, was arrested and detained after he reported the attack to the police.
The Commissioner further alleged that an NSCDC officer was colluding with opposition elements to facilitate the arrest of Accord Party members in Ikire, as part of a plot to frustrate the party’s campaign in the area.
“There are credible security reports before the Imole Campaign Council about a coordinated ‘hit list’ compiled by political opponents working with compromised security operatives.
“Several leaders of the Accord Party and key opposition figures have been marked for unlawful arrests in the run-up to the election.
“We have confirmed that 46 individuals have been targeted for arbitrary arrest, harassment and transfer to Abuja to keep them out during the election,” Alimi said.
Other names he mentioned include Idris Idowu Jooda, Pastor Paul Akinola, Mukaila Yusuf, Dr Kazeem Atoba, Yesiru Olaniyi, Alhaji Olokeola, Wale Olunloye, Taye Adeyemo, Moshood Jolaiya, Lere Ogungbade, Kola Akinpelu, Tiri Adepoju and Pastor Femi Oladiran.
Alimi called on IGP Olatunji Disu to order the Osun Command, the State CID and special squads from Abuja to halt what he described as the harassment of opposition leaders.
He also urged the Force Headquarters to review security deployments in Osun to ensure only neutral and professional officers are assigned.
The Osun State Police Command dismissed the claims saying “We are conducting daily raids on black spots and criminal hideouts to secure the environment ahead of the election. These operations are not targeted at any individual, group or political party. We don’t have any list.
“The police don’t create lists. We are working with existing criminal records and raiding known hideouts. We have advised parents to caution their children against late-night movements and association with people of questionable character, because they could get caught up in the raids.
“The government had also promised a joint task force which would have helped so it’s not just the police. We are yet to see that. Maybe it will materialize, so it won’t look like the police are acting alone or targeting anyone,” the command said
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